Rolls-Royce chases electric prize

A project to build a 300mph 500hp all-electric aircraft that can fly from London to Paris on a single charge has been unveiled last week by Rolls-Royce. Media reports yesterday said the company aims to launch a single-seat demonstrator (below) by the end of next year.

The engine maker noted the race to develop electric aircraft had speeded up with advances in technology and increased pressure over the environment. The company’s plan is to create the fastest zero-emission aircraft in the world.

Rolls-Royce confirmed: “To explore the possibilities of electric flight, we’ve teamed with Airbus and Siemens to work on a new hybrid-electric technology flight demonstrator, E-Fan X, which is due to take to the skies in 2020.

“All three partners are committed to meeting the EU technical environmental goals of the European Commission’s Flightpath 2050 vision for aviation (reduction of CO2 by 75%, reduction of NOx by 90% and noise reduction by 65%).

“These cannot be achieved with the technologies existing today. Therefore, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are investing in and focusing research work in different technology areas including electrification.”

“For us, it’s an exciting challenge as we deliver a two-megawatt electric motor – the most powerful in the world to ever fly.”

www.rolls-royce.com

www.airbus.com

www.siemens.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum