The report suggests that the potential for commercially viable transports range is between 50-300 km. Another potential route could therefore be Stockholm-Mariehamn-Turku. Also, Iceland’s current domestic routes could be replaced with electric planes.
The report is developed by the NEA Nordic Network for Electric Aviation project which is an industry collaboration for electric aviation funded under Nordics Innovation’s mobility program. The aim of the project is to speed up the transition to a sustainable future where Nordic citizens benefit from innovative mobility and connectivity solutions.
The project has worked with four challenges for electric aviation in the Nordics:
New business models for regional point-to-point connectivity and new business models for new direct routes between the Nordic countries.
Charging infrastructure for electric aviation by consolidating national efforts into a unified standard.
Weather proofing and ice protection for electric planes in Nordic weather conditions, including assessing and development of technologies for battery thermal management and de-icing.
A platform for Nordic, European and global collaboration to speed up knowledge sharing.
Need for standardized charging infrastructure
The report also concludes that a standardized charging infrastructure for electric aviation is necessary, including the need for new partnerships and collaborations to support electrification of airports. The report suggests the Megawatt Charging System as the best solution with the opportunity to share charging infrastructure at airports and harbors as one of the advantages.
Background
The partners of the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation are: Heart Aerospace, Elfly Group, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Icelandair, SRF – Sveriges Regionala Flygplatser, Copenhagen Airports, NISA – Nordic Initiative Sustainable Aviation, Avinor, Green Flyway, Swedavia, Finavia, Braathens Regional Airline, Finnair and Air Greenland.
In 2022, the project published the report: Business Models for Nordic Electric Aviation. Based on factors such as competitive advantages and associated risks, the report identifies the business models: Air-taxi-on-demand, Public Service Obligation and High-end “business jet” as potential business models for electric aviation in the Nordics.
Download report: Business models for electric aviation
From January 2023 the project went into a new phase. NEA 2.0 will among other focus on communication activities aimed towards policy makers, technology providers and investors.
