16 July 2018
Rolls-Royce is to work with two British companies to develop all-electric propulsion for aviation, backed by UK government funding.
The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow which opened today.
Rolls-Royce will work with YASA (UK), a manufacturer of high-power, light weight electric motors and controllers used in automotive, aerospace and industrial applications, and Electroflight, which is already working on an electric aircraft.
The research project is known as Accelerating the Electrification of Flight (ACCEL) and aims to flight test the system to gain a detailed understanding of the potential for electric flight.
Rob Watson, Director of Electrical, Rolls-Royce said, “We are delighted to be leading this research partnership.
“We are already investigating the potential of hybrid-electric propulsion, building on our existing expertise in applications such as hybrid trains and gas turbine-powered naval vessels, but this funding from the UK Government will enable us to explore the potential of all-electric flight.
“The increased use of electrical systems is an inescapable trend in our markets and championing electrification is a core part of our long-term strategy at Rolls-Royce.”
Our hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) program will revolutionize the way we travel and the way we build cities in this fast-changing world. Find out more about our role in the future of electrification https://t.co/SpltqJG5cw pic.twitter.com/irMxI08lbc
— Rolls-Royce (@RollsRoyce) July 18, 2018
Chris Harris, CEO, YASA said: “We’re excited to be working with Rolls-Royce on integrating our high-power, light weight electric motors into a pure electric demonstrator aircraft. Thanks to our innovative axial-flux design, YASA can deliver the smallest, lightest electric motors for a given power and torque – opening up new and exciting opportunities for electrification in aerospace.”
Roger Targett, Managing Director, Electroflight said: We are delighted to be supporting Rolls-Royce with an integrated electric powertrain including an innovative energy storage solution. Our team comprises leading experts in electrification from the motorsport and automotive sector to assist our partners to accelerate the evolution of electric aircraft.”
Electroflight’s latest electric aircraft on display at FIA18. Electrolight will work with Rolls-Royce and YASA. Photo: Paul Yates
Rolls-Royce is already exploring hybrid-electric propulsion – using a gas turbine engine as a generator to power an electric fan – for regional commercial aircraft through the E-Fan X demonstrator programme with Airbus and Siemens, announced last year.
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Rolls-Royce is also showcasing a hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) vehicle concept (pictured top) which could be adapted for personal transport, public transport, logistics and even military applications and take to the skies as soon as the early 2020s.
