(Photo: Gina Janosch / Pixabay)
Key challenges and how they can be tackled
In this section, we examine the key challenges identified during the stakeholder workshop and explore potential strategies to address them. For each level of challenge, we explore solutions that will contribute to the development of a policy roadmap for the future of electric aviation.
Strategic level
There are significant political challenges with respect to implementation of electric aviation. While it is crucial for the Nordic countries to have clear visions, those are not enough to achieve the goal without concrete actions and policies. The challenges include the following:
- Lack of political commitment leading to insufficient international cooperation.
- Unsolved funding issues. There is a notable lack of political attention to funding issues, creating a significant barrier to implementation of electric aviation.
- Lack of recognition at the EU level of the crucial role of aviation for remote communities. The concept of "flight shame" has gained prominence, particularly as the EU increasingly focuses on reducing flights and promoting road and rail transport. Such a position is part of a broader political climate that is increasingly critical of aviation due to environmental concerns. That puts Nordic countries in a difficult position as they are more reliant on aviation than other European nations.
- Uncoordinated approach among Nordic countries when it comes to making a strong case for electric aviation.
- Lack of clear guidelines from the EU. These are needed in order to support the development and implementation of electric aircraft.
What can be done?
The experts taking part in the workshop noted the need for a unified Nordic strategy and an action plan for electric aviation as a crucial first step. Such a strategy would be essential for harmonising the regulatory, technological and economic development of electric aviation. Additionally, it would play a vital role in coordinating efforts to allocate national budgets and funds for zero emission aviation, while providing incentives and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to address funding challenges.
National governments and the European Union
Regulatory level
- Lack of common standards on airport infrastructure. Such standards are needed to support international connections and technological innovation within electric aviation. Their absence risks hindering progress towards implementation of the technology.
- Regulation on air services need to be adapted more flexibly to new technologies. Current national and European regulations on air services are often too rigid to accommodate new technologies. While that is largely due to legitimate safety concerns connected to the implementation and operation of next-generation technologies, it can slow down overall development of the sector. European pressure to ban domestic flights threatens to slow still further efforts to advance the sector. Premature implementation of such regulations, before replacement technologies are mature and reliable, would have negative effects on existing transport networks, especially in remote areas.
What can be done?
Following implementation of a unified Nordic electric aviation strategy, a common framework for harmonised standards across the region can be established. That can enhance the efficiency of cross-border electric aviation connections. Furthermore, the creation of flexible air service regulations can promote technological advancements in electric aviation.
Nordic governments in cooperation with one another
Environmental level
- Lack of sufficient knowledge and research on LCA. There is limited knowledge and research on the Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of electric planes. Understanding the full environmental impact of such aircraft, from production to disposal, is crucial for evaluating their sustainability, especially when it comes to battery production. It is also necessary to compare the environmental impact of electric aviation with other modes of transport, particularly regarding mineral extraction for battery production. That is essential to ensure that the shift to electric aviation does not unintentionally cause greater environmental harm due to increased demand for mining and resource extraction.
What can be done?
Governments and academic institutions need to set up research programmes that focus on conducting comprehensive LCAs to determine the true environmental footprint of electric planes. Moreover, it is important to compare the environmental effects of electric aviation with other modes of transport, especially in terms of resource extraction and disposal of batteries.
National governments and research institutions
Economic and technological level
- Profitability. Making profits with small electric planes is likely to prove difficult, especially in the early stages of implementation.
- Ticket prices. High prices, especially in the early stages, may deter potential customers and hinder market growth. Additionally, there is uncertainty about who will ultimately benefit from electric aviation services, i.e. whether those services will become affordable and accessible to broader groups or remain limited to niche markets such as tourism or business travel.
- Development of flexible technology. The absence of standards on energy intensity for electric aviation poses a significant barrier to technological development. Current battery technology is also insufficient, meaning that further development is required to meet the demands of electric aviation.
What can be done?
Addressing such challenges will require a combination of policy support, technological innovation and research investment.
To address the profitability issue, a combination of government subsidies and financial incentives can help offset the high initial costs, making electric aviation more viable. Initially, focusing on high-demand, short-haul routes that allow geographical barriers to be overcome and that can be served effectively by smaller electric planes may help to generate revenue and prove the viability of the market.
To overcome potential issues connected to ticket prices, financial incentives could reduce the cost for passengers, making electric flights more attractive. Differentiating ticket types by establishing different prices for residents and tourists, thereby subsidising “local tickets”, might also be relevant. Furthermore, it is crucial to consider the temporal dimension: as production scales up and competition increases, the manufacturing costs of electric planes are likely to drop, ultimately leading to a lowering of ticket prices over time.
Finally, current battery limitations in terms of energy density and charging times are significant barriers to wider adoption, so public and private investments in R&D are essential to accelerate progress.
National governments and established actors in the industry