Embraer unveils concepts for hybrid, hydrogen electric aircraft

Embraer unveiled new concepts for hybrid electric and hydrogen electric aircraft as part of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s Energia sustainability initiative.

On December 5, 2022, almost a year after Embraer announced a detailed study of four new aircraft concepts powered by new technologies and renewable energies, the manufacturer revealed several updates to the design of Energia family aircraft.

For instance, after revealing plans for a nine-seater Energia Hybrid aircraft in 2021, Embraer is now exploring 19 and 30-seater variants, the E19-HE, and E30-HE, which will feature rear-mounted engines and parallel hybrid-electric propulsion expected to cut up to 90% emissions when using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Meanwhile, Embraer also presented an updated variant of its Energia H2 Fuel Cell E19-H2FC aircraft. Although the plane was first unveiled as a 19-seater in 2021, the manufacturer is also considering a 30-seater variant, which will be powered by hydrogen-electric propulsion. Embraer said the E30-H2FC’s technology will be ready only in 2035.

“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,” Embraer Commercial Aviation chief executive Arjan Meijer said.

According to Embraer, the new manufacturer’s approach to net zero offers a “technically realistic” and “economically feasible pathway” to get the aviation industry to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. As new propulsion technologies will be first applied on smaller aircraft, “Embraer is in a unique position”, the manufacturer noted.

While the Embraer Energia project is currently in the evaluation phase, the architectures and technologies are being assessed for technical and commercial viability, Embraer added.

“The 19 and 30 seaters are sensible starting points for focused studies since they are likely to present earlier technical and economical readiness,” Embraer VP of Engineering, Technology, and Corporate Strategy Luis Carlos Affonso concluded.