Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Siemens to develop hybrid electric plane

Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Siemens are to develop hybrid electric plane technology, with the E-Fan X programme, which will put first an electric engine with three jet engines on a BAe 146 aircraft.

The firms have ambition to develop the electric plane by 2020 with commercial application by 2025. The weight of the batteries and aircon to cool electric engines are the major stumbling blocks. Paul Eremenko, Chief technology officer of Airbus said: “We see hybrid-electric propulsion as compelling technology for the future of aviation.”

Rolls-Royce will be developing the light weight electricity generator at the back of the E-Fan X plane. The turbine powering the generator will run on jet fuel and also provide power for the electric engine.