Airbus, Boeing expected to turn to hybrid engine technology for new planes - lessor

Reuters

Published Nov 20, 2020 01:14

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Airbus SE (PA:AIR) and Boeing Co (N:BA) are expected to turn to hybrid electric technology when they develop the next generation of airplanes because of limits on improving current engines, the head of a major aircraft lessor said on Thursday.

Airbus is already working hard on a hybrid solution but Boeing is likely to be more cautious about making a major investment in a new program given its challenges with the return of the 737 MAX and certification of the 777X, Air Lease Corp (N:AL) Chief Executive Steven Udvar-Hazy said at the Skift Aviation Forum.

"I have serious doubts that either Boeing or Airbus can design an all new airplane using current aerodynamic engine technologies that can have a meaningful - let's call it double-digit advantage over what we already have," he said in reference to fuel efficiency. "So what I see evolving is more of a hybrid."

Udvar-Hazy said hybrid engines would allow for a lighter aircraft weight, as well as a technology transition rather than a step change.

"Almost like we didn't go from all piston engine and diesel cars to all electric cars," he said. "There's that transition with hybrids that have a smaller gasoline engine and then an electric augmentation engine, like the Prius for the example."

Airbus said last year it was considering producing a hybrid plane by 2035 as it strives for a low-emission aircraft, while Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (L:RR) said in March it expected hybrid planes carrying around 100 people to be flying commercially by 2029.

Boeing did not respond immediately to a request for comment.