As others have noted, electric flights require a major breakthrough in the battery technology. Here are energy density numbers for gasoline, jet fuel, and lithium-ion batteries:
Gas and jet fuel specific energy density ~= 45 MJ/kg;
Lithium-ion specific energy density < 1 MJ/kg
Even worse, a jet engine is much better at generating power. A modern high-bypass turbofan engine can generate 10 kW/kg whereas an electric motor is around 1 kW/kg.
In short we need much better batteries and much lighter motors. This is not going to happen anytime soon. A more reasonable option is to create carbon-neutral fuels (biofuels, carbon sequestration, etc.).
Gas and jet fuel specific energy density ~= 45 MJ/kg;
Lithium-ion specific energy density < 1 MJ/kg
Even worse, a jet engine is much better at generating power. A modern high-bypass turbofan engine can generate 10 kW/kg whereas an electric motor is around 1 kW/kg.
In short we need much better batteries and much lighter motors. This is not going to happen anytime soon. A more reasonable option is to create carbon-neutral fuels (biofuels, carbon sequestration, etc.).