At a time when reducing fossil combustion processes has become more important than ever, it is not surprising that aviation too will not escape developing new propulsion systems. Electric propulsion whether or not combined with hydrogen is what Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is working on to meet this with four future Energia propeller aircraft models.

  • The Energia Hybrid Electric (E9-HE) should seat nine passengers, fly in 2030 and with its two engines saving up to 90 per cent CO2 emissions.
  • The Energia Full Electric (E9-FE) will fly fully electric with nine passengers, is CO2 neutral and should fly in 2035.
  • The Energia H2 Fuel Cell (E19-H2FC) uses electric motors powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. It carries 19 passengers from 2035.
  • The Energia H2 Gas Turbine (E50-H2GT), which uses hydrogen and a mix of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) fuel. Embraer expects this aircraft to generate zero CO2 emissions and carry up to fifty passengers. The type should be ready for use by 2040.

Meanwhile, Embraer has entered into a partnership with Norway's Widerøe to develop E-VTOL (Vertical TO and landing) electric air taxis for use in Scandinavia. In addition to this 2021 Memory of Understanding, a "partnership" contract has been signed with Rolls Royce and Widerøe to research innovative technologies for a "regional" aircraft.