Electric power systems can be much more suited to high altitude flight in comparison to piston engines with their pressure requirements. Meanwhile turbines are more fuel-hungry and require more maintenance.
However, batteries have less energy than hydrocarbon fuels. Supercapacitors have even worse energy density, although they can supply large amounts of power quickly.
Fuel cells can benefit from the better energy density of hydrocarbons and hydrogen, while converting this into electrical power output, however their power output is not as high.
Perhaps a useful compromise would be to use fuel cells for lower-power cruising, while using supercapacitors for the higher power requirements of takeoff and climb.
Note that electrical power is more easily distributable power, and could even be sent to motors in the wheels to reach takeoff speed on the runway more efficiently than with propellers alone. Perhaps those wheel motors could also regeneratively recuperate energy by braking the aircraft while landing (ok, probably not worth unless you stop & start frequently like a car does)
However, batteries have less energy than hydrocarbon fuels. Supercapacitors have even worse energy density, although they can supply large amounts of power quickly.
Fuel cells can benefit from the better energy density of hydrocarbons and hydrogen, while converting this into electrical power output, however their power output is not as high.
Perhaps a useful compromise would be to use fuel cells for lower-power cruising, while using supercapacitors for the higher power requirements of takeoff and climb.
Note that electrical power is more easily distributable power, and could even be sent to motors in the wheels to reach takeoff speed on the runway more efficiently than with propellers alone. Perhaps those wheel motors could also regeneratively recuperate energy by braking the aircraft while landing (ok, probably not worth unless you stop & start frequently like a car does)