UK-based leading industrial technology group Rolls-Royce, Italian aerospace company Tecnam, and Norwegian (and largest Scandinavian) regional airline Widerøe, have announced that they are to work together to produce and bring into service an entirely electrically-powered commuter airliner. The aircraft would be ready for revenue service in 2026. (Tecnam produces single-engined general aviation and twin-engined small commuter airliners and special mission aircraft. Its largest type is the 11-seat P2012 Traveller.)

The project builds upon two existing cooperations involving Rolls-Royce. One of these is the successful Rolls-Royce/Widerøe research project on sustainable aviation (launched in 2019), while the other is the partnership between the UK group and Tecnam to develop the all-electric propulsion P-Volt aircraft. The P-Volt will be a short-to-medium range twin electric-engined high-wing commuter aircraft capable of carrying nine passengers and/or cargo, and also able to undertake medical evacuation and special missions. All systems on board the aircraft – including avionics, air conditioning, heating, anti-icing and de-icing systems – will be entirely electrical.

“It is incredible to see the interest around the P-Volt, not only coming from regional airlines, but also from smart mobility-based companies,” reported Tecnam project research and development and product development chief Fabio Russo. “This last year has demonstrated the importance of promoting capillary connections between small communities, while reducing the congestion of the main hubs. The P-Volt, like the P2012 Traveller today, will perfectly fit the scope of this programme. We are honoured and pleased to see the level of enthusiasm Widerøe and our partner Rolls-Royce are dedicating to this project.”

“Electrification will help us deliver our ambition to enable the markets in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050,” pointed out Rolls-Royce Electrical director Rob Watson. “This collaboration strengthens our existing relationships with Tecnam and Widerøe as we look to explore what is needed to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market. It also demonstrate’s Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to be the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid electric propulsion and power systems across multiple aviation markets.”

“We are highly excited to be offered the role as launch operator, but also humble about the challenges of putting the world’s first zero emissions aircraft into service,” highlighted Widerøe chief strategy officer Andreas Aks. “Our mission is to have all new capabilities, processes and procedures required for a zero emissions operator, designed and approved in parallel with the aircraft being developed and certified.” (Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Widerøe operated some 400 flights a day between 44 airports, with 74% of these flights involving distances of less than 275 km.)

Rolls-Royce and Tecnam also have another joint project, focused on modifying one of the latter’s P2010 aircraft (a single-engined high-wing four-seat general aviation type) to be powered by the Rolls-Royce/Rotax H3PS parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system. The H3PS project has received European Union funding under the Horizon 2020 programme.