A few days ago, Siemens has unveiled the first true hybrid-electric airplane in the world, equipped with an engine that resembles Chevy Volt’s, at the Paris Air Show.
Dubbed DA36 E-Star, the two-seater airplane made its maiden flight on June 8 at the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria. As company officials said, the E-Star could reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 25%, compared to an equivalent aircraft from its class.
Generally speaking, this eco-friendly airplane is an airborne Chevrolet Volt with an electric motor turning the prop and a gasoline engine that begins to work when the batteries are discharged.
Besides the fact that the fuel consumption is being drastically reduced, the hybrid airplane makes very little noise, without disturbing people and/or birds.
The batteries provide juice for the electric motor during takeoff and climb. Once the airplane is in the air, it is powered by a 40-horsepower Wankel rotary engine. Siemens also has great plans for the future. If all goes well, the company will implement this technology in large-scale aircraft.