This is basically a proof-of-concept design - can a electric-drive aircraft meet specifications that are at least practical, if not currently (pun
) competitive.
John Holland's first "electric boat" had a surface/hydrocarbon range of 200 nm, and a submerged-electric range of 30 (!) nm. Carried three torpedos and a cannon powered by dynamite (no kidding!). Not exactly inspiring - yet it
eventually led to every practical war-making Pacific-crossing submarine of WW2 and beyond. You have to start somewhere, to investigate the technologies and discover and solve the problems.
Same for diesel-electric rail locomotives - 100 years ago they were only yard engines, but today they haul everything moved by rail in the US.
Even the FAA needs a functioning, flyable electric-drive aircraft available - to do a sensible job of writing (and perhaps modifying) rules for certification.
Will we see JetBlue operating a Boeing-electric 737 any time soon? No. Will we perhaps see a Boeing 73E7 in 60 years - that incorporates a lot of knowledge gained from getting the Zunum to function at a practical level today? We'll find out.
Fossil-fuel cars will be "out" in the EU and UK by 2040. Don't be under any illusions that regulators won't get around to banning most pure fossil-fuel aircraft eventually. Boeing and JetBlue are just planning ahead.
For the "9-seater," Zunum claims a
target cost per ASM of 8¢ ($250/hour operating costs for fuel/batteries/charging power). Or just 20-33% the costs for a PC-12/KingAir.
Not to mention 65dB side-line engine noise at TO thrust,
Of note - the "next" step for Zunum (so they say) is something in the 19-seat segment. Then scaling up to 50-70 seats.