OTHER PROJECTS / AIRCRAFT COMPANIES TO WATCH

Note, to read about eVTOL aircraft, see our UAM powerlist.

Airbus

Airbus has in the past supported electric flight projects, but with Project Blue Condor, now seems to be shifting its focus to hydrogen combustion, working towards a hydrogen powered narrowbody aircraft.

Atr

ATR is working on the next generation of its best-selling family of regional aircraft by 2030, the ATR ‘EVO’. The plan foresees a new powerplant with hybrid capability, with the fuel part being delivered by 100% SAF.

Dovetail Electric Aviation

Australia’s Dovetail Electric Aviation wants to take existing turboprop aircraft, and change the propulsion system by integrating an electric motor, battery packs and hydrogen fuel cells into one ‘drive-train’ on an existing airframeDovetail is magniX’s distributor in a number of countries.

One of Dovetail’s owners is Dante Aeronautical, which is looking to develop its own zero emissions aircraft.

Dovetail has an agreement with Rex in Australia to retrofit its regional turboprop fleet, the airline is one of the biggest operators of the Saab 340.

Electron

Electron is working on a four seat air taxi, which initially will be offering flights out of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Embraer

Embraer has been looking at electric and hybrid-electric technology for a possible new aircraft called the Energia. A nine seater hybrid-electric version might be possible by 2030 and a 19 seat hydrogen fuel-cell aircraft by 2035.

Explorer Aircraft

Another magniX partner, Explorer is developing the Explorer series of aircraft, including the 16 seat Model 750T.

Mako Aerospace

Scottish startup Mako Aerospace wants to produce the world’s first all electric jet engine, disproving that battery electric technology can only be used for short distances.

Quoted in the Scotsman Newspaper, Cranfield’s Dr Guy Gratton said that what Mako Aerospace is developing could probably better be understood as a deducted fan, as shown by Airbus with its E-Fan prototype.

Monte

Monte is a UK based company looking at retrofitting existing regional aircraft.

Otto

The Otto Celera is a six seat hydrogen electric aircraft, with the powertrain supplied by ZeroAvia. Otto is targeting the private aviation market.

Pipistrel

Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel is in many ways an electric aircraft pioneer. Over the Summer, Icelandair announced the first passenger flight on an electric aircraft, using a Pipistrel Vellis Electrohowever this is a two seater. And Pipistrel’s development cycle does seem to be fixed on very small 2-4 seat aircraft, smaller than the scope of this report.

Rolls Royce

In January, engine manufacturer Rolls Royce flew a single seat electric aircraft called “The Spirit of Innovation” for 15 minutes and broke two electric aircraft speed records.

Rolls Royce is also working with Tecnam to develop a nine seat electric aircraft for Wideroe called the P-Volt.

Stralis

Stralis is an Australian company looking at hydrogen-electric aircraft. It first of all wants to retrofit existing turbine aircraft before making its own.

VoltAero

VoltAero is a French company developing the hybrid-electric “Cassio” series of aircraft, including eventually the 10-12 seat Cassio 600.

Wright Electric

Wright Electric says it wants to “eliminate carbon from all flights under 800 miles” by 2040 through the production of the 100 seat Wright Spirit. Wright’s major partner is easyJet

Zunum

Based in Washington State, Zunum wants to develop hybrid electric aircraft with a radius of around 700 miles.