Hybrid and Electric Flight

Electric and hybrid-electric propulsion is rapidly revolutionising mobility technologies across industries, from automotive and aerospace to rail and marine. At Airbus, our research into electrification aims to lay the groundwork for the future industry-wide adoption and regulatory acceptance of alternative means of propulsion for aircraft, helicopters and urban air vehicles.

A range of technologies are required in order to meet the aviation industry's decarbonisation ambition. These include improving operations and infrastructure, deploying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and innovating through technology. 

Promising propulsion concepts are being further developed, such as hybrid powered aircraft or hydrogen fuel cells. It is a major challenge that the industry will answer collectively with engine manufacturers and other industries such as automotive. In November 2022, Airbus and Renault Group signed a research and development agreement which aims to leverage synergies to accelerate both companies’ electrification roadmaps. In June 2023, Airbus and STMicroelectronics signed an agreement to advance research on the next generation of semiconductors, which are a key enabler of the aerospace industry’s transition to hybrid and fully electric aircraft like the ZEROe demonstrator or the CityAirbus NextGen.

In a hybrid configuration, an aircraft uses several energy sources in flight, either in tandem or alternately. The mix of energy sources – jet fuel or sustainable aviation fuels combined with electricity – optimises overall energy efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Hybrid-electric propulsion leads to better energy management, reducing fuel consumption by up to 5% compared to a standard flight. 

The electricity can come from batteries or fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity. In November 2022, Airbus unveiled its hydrogen fuel cell-powered engine.