IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION Special Issue on Electrified Aircraft Technologies

Worldwide, air transportation accounts for at least 2.5% of carbon emissions, and this fraction will rise as the industry continues its rapid growth. Electrification of air transport is a vital component of global carbon reduction. The United Nations Climate Change Conference held in 2021 (COP26) set a clear goal of securing global net zero emissions by mid-century and keeping 1.5 degrees global warming limit within reach. The development and implementation of energy-efficient advanced technologies with reduced environmental impact is of critical importance. It is predicted that by 2050, energy use and carbon emissions of the transportation industry will increase by 80% over present levels if there is no concerted action to mitigate this. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has set the target of at least 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050. Leaders at the COP26 summit signed an agreement committed to supporting the adoption by UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of an ambitious long-term aspirational goal that is compatible with net-zero global emission by 2050. Achievement of these strategic goals requires fundamental reconsideration of aircraft engineering and propulsion, which have not really changed since the 1950s.

Automated summary

Air transportation accounts for a significant portion of carbon emissions worldwide, and electrification of air transport is crucial for global carbon reduction. The United Nations Climate Change Conference has set goals of net zero emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Without concerted action, energy use and carbon emissions in the transportation industry will substantially increase. Development and implementation of energy-efficient technologies with reduced environmental impact are of utmost importance.