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 its plan to build the E-Fan 4.0 hybrid-electric four-seater, stating it is not a general aviation company.
- The company's primary focus has shifted to researching hybrid-electric technologies for its overall roadmap, including future commercial airliners.
- While the E-Fan 2.0 all-electric trainer may still enter "limited" production, Airbus is currently testing the E-Fan 1.2, a single-seat electric demonstrator with a range-extending gasoline generator.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
