The Hague – Europe and the Arabs

The Netherlands is pushing the world toward electric aviation at a faster pace than most other European nations. One of the world’s first battery-powered passenger aircraft is currently being developed by the Dutch startup "Elysian Aircraft." The development phase is well underway; as co-founder Daniel Jakobsson explains, "The aircraft will feature six engines, and we have designed folding wingtips to ensure compatibility with existing airport gates, given the significant wingspan." Reducing emissions from fossil fuels is the most pressing global challenge, and civil aviation accounts for a substantial share of these emissions. Jakobsson notes, "By initially transporting 90 passengers over a distance of 800 kilometers—and eventually 1,000 kilometers—we could eliminate emissions for half of all global flights. This represents a massive portion of aviation activity and would reduce the total emissions of the aerospace sector by 20 percent."
Questions have been raised regarding whether the European Union should support electric air travel, what lessons the electric aviation sector might learn from the experience of electric vehicles, and when the average traveler might be able to board an electric plane. To explore these issues, "Euronews Earth" interviewed Maarten Steinbuch, a prominent professor of mechanical engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology, to gain his expert perspective on the future of electric aviation. A collection of images related to this topic was published. Euronews, the European news network based in Brussels, reported the following:
The boom in electric vehicles in Europe has saved six oil-importing countries 2 billion euros since the Iran-related crisis.
Every sunny surface put to use: Europeans are transforming their homes with solar panels.
The task of reducing emissions cannot be left to airlines alone.
The aviation sector contributes to approximately six percent of global warming when accounting for both carbon dioxide and other emissions—a share that is significantly higher in wealthy nations, according to data reviewed by the "Stay Grounded" campaign. The sector is well aware of its impact and has pledged to reduce emissions; the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)—the UN agency responsible for regulating international aviation—adopted a goal of "carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards." However, carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation have risen since 2020, as this goal focuses on offsetting emissions rather than committing to actual reductions. The "Climate Action Tracker" observatory has classified this target as "critically insufficient." Professor Steinbuch notes that the European Commission is currently focused on helping the "existing aviation industry" become "as sustainable as possible." Yet, rather than merely seeking to lower the emissions of current aircraft, the Commission should support a transition toward zero-emission, electric-powered planes. He adds, "There is not yet enough focus on revolutionizing the electrification of the skies; what we are seeing is a gradual evolution, not a true revolution." Electric vehicles have seen widespread adoption in Europe, progressing at a faster pace than many anticipated. According to the International Energy Agency, sales grew annually between 2020 and 2025, and by 2025, one out of every four cars sold globally was electric. This means that approximately five percent of the world’s vehicle fleet is now electric—a shift that displaced 1.2 million barrels of oil per day in 2025. This transition did not happen by chance; rather, it occurred because automakers were subject to pressure from government policies. As Steinbuch explains, "In the electrification of passenger vehicles, setting strict deadlines for companies to provide a sufficient number of electric models proved highly effective." He believes that imposing similar requirements on aircraft manufacturers could bring about tangible change, stating, "We need legislation mandating that a certain portion of the fleet must be electric by a specific year—driving this shift through the law." He adds that the European Commission should also accelerate the certification process for new aircraft designs—maintaining safety as the "first, second, and third priority"—while streamlining procedures to enable emerging companies to develop the infrastructure required for electric aviation, alongside supporting manufacturing capabilities and startups that are developing new types of aircraft.
When will electric air travel become accessible to everyone?
It may be difficult to imagine traditional aviation losing its grip on the market, especially given that the owners of low-cost airlines have become powerful millionaires. However, Professor Steinbuch sees many reasons for optimism that electric flight will become commonplace in the not-too-distant future, pointing to one pivotal element: batteries. "It is not a dream, but a very realistic prospect," he says. "The most critical part of this development is the battery. It is the decisive factor—billions of euros and dollars are being spent globally on battery development because everyone recognizes that batteries are the 'holy grail' for the transition in both the mobility and energy sectors." Batteries are so significant because they power electric aircraft; their storage capacity determines the distance an aircraft can travel. If solid-state batteries—offering double the capacity, reaching up to 500 watt-hours per kilogram—reach the market, public interest in electric aviation will surge, and such a breakthrough is near, he notes. Steinbuch predicts that "by 2032 or thereabouts—within six years—we might see the first five-seater electric aircraft capable of a 500-kilometer range, designed for transporting cargo or passengers. These will be very small aircraft, but they will mark the beginning of specialized applications." He anticipates that by 2035, we could see aircraft with nine or perhaps even 20 seats and a 500-kilometer range, while larger planes with a capacity of 80 to 90 seats might emerge closer to 2040, or perhaps shortly thereafter.