Depends on what kind of flying you do. Scale flight through mild aerobatics are available today in a reasonable sized airplane with affordable electric power. Anything beyond that and you're going to need state of the art electric equipment and the cost goes through the roof.

By the way, you mention an extra $100 for the initial cost. Most 40 size sport planes, with engine, cost around $200. That 50% increase will blow quite a few budgets.

An finally, most modelers already have the engine and all the support equipment. Meaning they can put a brand new airplane in the air for about $100.

When electric power can provide 10 minutes of consistant (not declining) power equal to a good 46 two stroke for a reasonable price and the cost of the necessary support equipment (chargers, test equipment and spare batteries) is not prohibitive, I'll go for it.

Jim