Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop hybrid-electric plane
Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have said that they will develop a hybrid-electric plane that seats 50 to 100 passengers. The project, E-Fan X, aims to have a prototype based on a BAe 146 aircraft ready to fly by 2020 before bringing a product to market by 2030. Airbus will build the control architecture of the hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries; Rolls-Royce will be responsible for the turbo shaft engine and 2 MW generator, while Siemens will deliver the 2 MW electric motor.
Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have formed a partnership to develop a near-term hybrid-electric flight demonstrator for commercial aircraft. The partners expect the E-Fan X series-hybrid-electric technology demonstrator to fly in 2020 following a ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with one of the aircraft’s four gas turbine engines replaced by a 2MW electric motor. Provisions will be made to replace a second gas turbine with an electric motor once system maturity has been proven.

The E-Fan X demonstrator will explore the challenges of high-power propulsion systems, such as thermal effects, electric thrust management, altitude and dynamic effects on electric systems and electromagnetic compatibility issues. The objective is to push and mature the technology, performance, safety and reliability enabling quick progress on the hybrid electric technology. The program also aims at establishing the requirements for future certification of electrically powered aircraft while training a new generation of designers and engineers to bring hybrid-electric commercial aircraft one step closer to reality.