Two of the major challenges with battery powered planes: Their landing weight will be the same as their takeoff weight. Typically takeoff weights can be much heavier due to being full with fuel. The landing weights typically need to be lower to not damage the landing gear.
Also, with liquid fuel planes their range increases as they consume fuel (less weight). Will electric planes be able to travel the same distance keeping the weight the same throughout the entire flight?
I realize that the article specifically talks about short range flights of less than 500 miles. But I was wondering about the possibility of longer range flights.