Airbus caused a stir two years ago by announcing an ambitious plan to build a hybrid-electric four-seater for the U.S. light plane market dubbed the E-Fan 4.0, plus a smaller two-seat all-electric trainer called the E-Fan 2.0, both of which the company predicted would enter production before the decade was out. That idea has faded away quietly with the departure of Airbus Chief Technology Officer Jean Botti, who had been a strong backer of the E-Fan project.
Airbus Says It Won’t Build Hybrid-Electric Four-Seater
Key Takeaways:
- Airbus has abandoned plans to produce the E-Fan 4.0 hybrid four-seater, shifting its focus from general aviation production to researching and applying hybrid-electric technologies for future commercial aircraft.
- The E-Fan 2.0 all-electric trainer may still enter limited production, but the company's priority is technology development and exploring electric-hybrid production concepts at its planned factory.
- Airbus is currently showcasing and flight-testing the E-Fan 1.2 demonstrator, a single-seat aircraft with a hybrid system that uses a gasoline generator to extend its electric flight endurance.
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