Regional aircraft leader announces hydrogen electric future

Embraer, the world’s leading builder of regional aircraft, has revealed four concepts powered by new technologies and renewable energies.

With a focus on two 19 and 30-seat designs for hybrid electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion, the new concepts are part of its progress report on Energia – the initiative to get the aviation industry to net zero by 2050.

Backed by its 50-year technical expertise, external inputs from airlines, and joint studies with engine makers these two approaches to net zero offer a technically realistic and economically feasible pathway to net zero the Brazil-based company said this week.

+ The first is the Energia Hybrid a 19 and a 30-seat variant with parallel hybrid-electric propulsion and up to 90 per cent CO2 emissions reduction when using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which is based on made from feedstock such as forestry and agricultural waste, used cooking oil and green hydrogen. Embraer says the aircraft will have rear-mounted engines and be ready by early 2030s.

+ The other concept is the Energia H2 Fuel Cell again in a 19 or 30-seat variant. Propulsion will be hydrogen-electric with zero CO2 emissions with rear-mounted electric engines.

The company says that these models will be ready by 2035.

Embraer says that while still in the evaluation phase, the architecture and technology is being assessed for technical and commercial viability.

The Energia Advisory Group has also been launched to harness input and collaboration from partner airlines.

Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation, says: “I believe we have set bold but realistic goals for these concepts to come to market. Since we announced our Energia concepts last year, we have been busy evaluating different architectures and propulsion systems. These efforts have resulted in the updates of our concepts that we are sharing with you today. A number of airlines are part of our Energia Advisory Group, the experience and knowledge they bring to the study will be key to accelerating to the next phases.”

Luis Carlos Affonso, senior vice-president of engineering, technology and corporate strategy at Embraer adds: “As new propulsion technologies will be first applied on smaller aircraft, Embraer is in a unique position. The 19 and 30-seaters are sensible starting points for focused studies since they are likely to present earlier technical and economical readiness.

“While the challenges of net zero are significant, in less than 25 years our commercial aircraft have already reduced fuel burn and CO2 emissions by almost 50 per cent on a seat/mile basis, using only conventional fuels and propulsion — I’m convinced net zero is a goal we can reach.”