Embraer reveals sustainable aircraft concepts

Embraer revealed new aircraft concepts as part of the company’s progress report on Energia – Embraer’s initiative to get the aviation industry to net-zero emissions by 2050.

A year on from Embraer’s Sustainability in Action event, which detailed the study of four new aircraft concepts powered by new technologies and renewable energies, the company has been focusing on two 19-to-30-seat designs for hybrid electric and hydrogen electric propulsion. Guided by the company’s 50-year technical expertise, external inputs from airlines, and joint studies with engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), these two approaches to net-zero offer a technically realistic and economically feasible pathway to net-zero, according to Embraer.

Energia Hybrid (E19-HE and E30-HE) – revealed as a 9-seater in 2021, Embraer is exploring a 19- and a 30-seat variant:

• Parallel hybrid-electric propulsion
• Up to 90% CO₂ emissions reduction when using SAF
• 19 and 30 seat variants
• Rear-mounted engines
• Technology readiness – early 2030s

Energia H₂ Fuel Cell (E19-H2FC and E30-H2FC) – revealed with 19 seats in 2021, Embraer is exploring a 30-seat variant:

• Hydrogen electric propulsion
• Zero CO₂ emissions
• 19 and 30 seat variants
• Rear-mounted electric engines
• Technology readiness – 2035

While still at the evaluation phase, the architectures and technologies are being assessed for technical and commercial viability. The Energia Advisory Group has also been launched to harness input and collaboration from partner airlines.

Arjan Meijer, president and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “I believe we have set bold but realistic goals for these concepts to come to market. Since we announced our Energia concepts last year, we have been busy evaluating different architectures and propulsion systems. These efforts have resulted in the updates of our concepts that we are sharing with you today. A number of airlines are part of our Energia Advisory Group, the experience and knowledge they bring to the study will be key to accelerate to the next phases.”

“As new propulsion technologies will be first applied on smaller aircraft, Embraer is in a unique position. The 19- and 30-seaters are sensible starting points for focused studies since they are likely to present earlier technical and economical readiness,” said Luis Carlos Affonso, Sr. VP of engineering, technology and corporate strategy for Embraer. “While the challenges of net-zero are significant, in less than 25 years our commercial aircraft have already reduced fuel burn and CO₂ emissions by almost 50% on a seat/mile basis, using only conventional fuels and propulsion – I’m convinced net-zero is a goal we can reach.”

The event ‘Energia – The shape of things to come’, available on Embraer’s YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@Embraer, was broadcast live from Amsterdam and Sao Jose dos Campos. As well as presentations from Embraer’s chief engineer, and Commercial Aviation CEO, it features a 360° tour of two of the concepts Embraer is focusing on - Energia H₂ Fuel Cell and Energia Hybrid Electric.