Rolls-Royce and Tecnam
Rolls-Royce and Tecnam will deliver an all-electric passenger plane in 2026. Rolls Royce and airframe manufacturer Tecnam join forces with Widerøe
What is Wideroe?
Scandinavia’s largest regional airline will deliver an all-electric aircraft for the passenger market, ready for revenue service in 2026.
The project builds on the fruitful research program between Rolls-Royce and Widerøe on maintainable aviation and the existing partnership among Rolls Royce and Tecnam to power the all-electric P-Volt aircraft.
However, Stein Nilsen, CEO of Widerøe, said: “Norway’s extensive network of short takeoff and landing airports is ideal for zero-emission technologies.
However, this aircraft displays how quickly new technology can and will be developed and that we are on track with our ambition to fly with zero emissions around 2025.”
Electrification
- Rob Watson, Director of Rolls-Royce Electrical, said. “Electrification will help us deliver on our ambition to enable the markets we operate to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- However, this collaboration strengthens our existing relationships with Tecnam and Widerøe as we look to explore what it takes to deliver a fully electric aircraft for the passenger market.
- However, it demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to be the leading provider of all-electric and hybrid power and propulsion systems across multiple aviation markets.”
Widerøe’s Program
- The program will cover all elements of developing and delivering a fully electric passenger aircraft that might be used on the Norwegian market from 2026.
- However, Rolls-Royce will bring its power and propulsion systems expertise. And Tecnam will provide aircraft design, manufacturing, and certification capabilities.
- However, the Widerøe’s mission will be to ensure that all competencies and requirements of an airline operator are met to enter service in 2026.
- Andreas Aks, Strategy Director at Widerøe, added. “We are very excited to be offered the position of launch operator. But we are also humbled by the challenges of bringing the world’s first zero-emission aircraft into service.
Mission
- Our mission is to consume all the new capabilities, processes, and procedures necessary for a zero-emission operator. That is designing and approving in a similar way with the aircraft being developed and certifying.”
Collaboration
- The collaboration proposes the opportunity to develop an exciting solution for the traveler aircraft market.
- Before the pandemic, Widerøe offered around 400 daily flights using a network of 44 airports. Where 74% of flights have distances less than 275 km.
- The straight flight durations are between seven and fifteen minutes.
- And also, the development of all-electric aircraft will allow people to stay connected sustainably. And fulfill Wideroe’s drive to brand its first all-electric flight by 2026.
- However, the P-Volt all-electric aircraft is based on the 11-seat aircraft. The Tecnam P2012 Commuter is ideal for short takeoffs, landings, and routes on Norway’s north and west coasts.
Research Program
- Rolls-Royce and Widerøe publicized a joint research program in 2019.
- However, the program’s goal was to evaluate and develop electric aircraft concepts. This would meet Norway’s ambition to have the first electrified aircraft on scheduled domestic flights by 2030 and 80% of the emissions.
- Reduction of domestic flights by 2040.
