There was time when all systems aboard an aircraft were mechanical. Over time, smaller batteries made their way into onboard systems in the flight deck. Eventually the maturation of batteries for propulsions systems (as experienced in the automotive industry) provided sufficient power to replace conventional propulsion technologies in aircraft. Electric propulsion is more than just battery technologies – it chartered a course for overall electrification and triggered a design revolution, for both airframe and propulsion system.

Benefits go beyond market interest in electric aircraft – electrification mirrors the greater environmental consciousness of European citizens, answers the European demand for sustainable and smart air transport and mobility, while promising more economic operations.

Electrification of propulsion can mean:

• Fully electric propulsion, using batteries or hydrogen fuel cells and motor(s)
• Hybrid-electric propulsion, using a conventional engine, fuel, and a generator distributing electric power

This complements the electrification of onboard hydraulic and pneumatic systems, such as slats, flaps, stabilizers, environmental control systems, de-icing, and more.

From an engineering and manufacturing perspective:

• More flexibility in design
• Less parts and components
• Simplified production

From an operational perspective:

• Lighter maintenance and improved monitoring
• Reduced operational costs – by approx. 30%
• Increased safety thanks to systems redundancy

From an environmental perspective:

• Sustainable power obtainable from renewable sources
• Low to zero particulate emissions in flight

• Lower operative noise, opening previously inaccessible airspace

From a general public perspective:

• No negative contribution to climate change when running on sustainable power
• Improved connectivity and mobility options
• Increased and more affordable access to careers in aviation

• Battery/fuel-cell weight and power density initially offer low range
• Availability of batteries and charging infrastructure
• The end-of-life solution for batteries is an industry of its own

• EASA provides manufacturers the opportunity to certify this technology, either as an engine or part of the type certification of an aircraft.For more information, please visit their webpage.

• Alphabetically:
  • Airbus
  • Bosch
  • Daher
  • Diamond
  • Dufour Aerospace
  • Lilium
  • Pipistrel
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Volocopter

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