Originally Posted by
Aeirum
I don’t. However, I could imagine an aircraft with battery power in conjunction with an efficient range extender (possibly nuclear) just powerful enough for cruise, regenerative speed brakes etc. The possibilities are many. To say that there will never be electric wide-body aircraft with certainty is simple overconfidence in ones own ability to predict the future. Another consideration is that aircraft of the future may all be “wide bodies” regardless of size.
There is a Q100 flying around with a hybrid power plant. It uses smaller turbines for cruise and an electric assist motor when taking off and climbing.
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/05...l-planes-soon/
As electric motors get more robust, powerful, and reliable, there may come a time where aircraft are powered by small nuclear reactors. Of course, this is many many years away but presents interesting ideas about aircraft design and capability.
Interesting concepts at play for the future.
https://www.defenseone.com/technolog...troops/154406/