Supplement: Aerospace Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Siemens are working on the E-Fan X programme
Electric aircr close to take-o T
echnology is being developed that could see electric aircraft in our skies within just 10 years. David Latimer, Chief Executive Officer of Magnomatics, explores how pressure to reduce noise and carbon dioxide emissions is driving the innovations that will make this possible. It is fast becoming a matter of when,
As in the automotive sector, the aviation
the sub-systems and components re-
industry is turning to electric and hybrid
quired. The firm says it should provide
technology to reduce environmental
fuel savings of at least 30 percent. It
impact, as a future without jet fuel be-
should fly in 2022 and is forecast to be
comes a real possibility.
ready for regional airliners by the mid2020s.
For example, Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Siemens are working on the E-Fan X
Moving to electric aircraft would help
programme, which will have a two-meg-
the aviation sector meet EU targets of a
awatt (2MW) electric motor mounted on
60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions,
a BAE 146 jet. It is set to fly in 2021.
90 percent less NOx and 75 percent
rather than if, a short-haul electric aircraft
less noise by 2050. The technology
will take to our skies. The pace of inno-
United Technologies, which includes
would see batteries put inside a plane’s
vation is accelerating as more organisa-
engine-maker Pratt & Whitney in its
wings instead of being slung under-
tions bring their research and develop-
portfolio, is working on its Project 804,
neath them, making the aircraft more
ment resources to the goal of creating
a hybrid electric demonstrator de-
aerodynamic.
the all-electric aircraft.
signed to test a 1MW motor as well as
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