Airbus and Siemens to launch hybrid plane by 2030

If cars run on electric power, why don't airplanes? Well, they will. Airbus hopes to launch hybrid passenger planes by 2030, running on a combination of electric power and conventional fuel.

Airbus has teamed up with German industrial enterprise Siemens to develop hybrid planes that can carry up to 100 passengers. The new aircraft will be much quieter and will use far less fuel than regular planes. The hybrid Airbus will consume 25% less fuel and is to be almost silent during take off and landing, when running on electric power. Jet fuel propulsion is only applied at cruising altitudes.

The range of the first hybrid Airbus aircraft will be limited – almost 1,000 kilometres, which is about the same as the stretch from Amsterdam to Nice.

According to a CNNMoney report, the quiet hybrid planes could open up new opportunities for the aviation industry, said Siemens spokesman Martini. Authorities could potentially allow planes to fly later at night without disrupting residents living near airports, he said.

Further reading on money.cnn.com

Image by Siemens