Hybrid and electric flight

Laying the groundwork for decarbonising aviation

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On the path to lower-carbon flight

REDEFINING PROPULSION

A range of technologies are required in order to meet the aviation industry’s decarbonisation ambition. Chief among them are promising propulsion concepts, such as electrification, hybrid-powered flight and hydrogen fuel cells. 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.

Airbus Ecopulse demonstrator

Hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion

In a hybrid configuration, an aircraft uses several energy sources in flight, either in tandem or alternately. The mix of energy sources 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.

Airbus Fuel Cell Engine Hydrogen

Collaborating on hybridisation research

We are working closely with key industry players to advance hybridisation research. In November 2022, Airbus and Renault Group signed a research and development agreement which aims 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 will be a key enabler of hybrid and fully electric aircraft such as the ZEROe demonstrator and CityAirbus NextGen.

Our electric flight projects

EcoPulse

A new approach to distributed propulsion for aircraft

EcoPulse is a distributed hybrid-propulsion aircraft demonstrator, developed in partnership with Daher and Safran with the support of France’s CORAC and DGAC.

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EcoPulse demonstrator’s first test flight with battery system onboard

CityAirbus NextGen

Safe, sustainable and integrated urban air mobility

This all-electric, four-seat multicopter demonstrator focuses on advancing remotely piloted vertical take-off and landing flight (eVTOLs).

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CityAirbus NextGen

DisruptiveLab

A new flying laboratory

Disruptive Lab will evaluate a new aerodynamic rotorcraft architecture. It will also test hybridisation, with a fully parallel hybrid propulsion system that enables the battery to be recharged in-flight.

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Airbus' Disruptivelab

Latest in hybrid and electric flight

In the spotlight

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  • Airbus ZEROe - The world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft

    Airbus NOVA Newsletter

    Your go-to source for the latest stories on disruptive technologies and ground-breaking aerospace projects that will transform the way we fly.