A year on from its Sustainability in Action in event, that detailed the study of four new aircraft concepts powered by new technologies and renewable energies - electric, hydrogen fuel cell, dual fuel gas turbine, and hybrid-electric - the company has been focusing on two 19-30 seater designs for hybrid electric and hydrogen electric propulsion. Guided by 50 years of technical expertise, external inputs from airlines and joint studies with engine OEMs, these two approaches to net-zero offer a technically realistic and economically feasible pathway.

Energia Hybrid (E19-HE and E30-HE): revealed as a nine seater in 2021, Embraer is now exploring 19 and 30 seater variants with parallel hybrid-electric propulsion and rear-mounted engines offering up to 90 per cent CO2 emissions reduction when using SAF and with technology readiness by early 2030s.

Energia H2 Fuel Cell (E19-H2FC and E30-H2FC): revealed as a 19 seater in 2021, Embraer is now exploring a 30 seater variant with hydrogen electric propulsion, zero CO2 emissions and technology readiness by 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 inputs and collaboration from partner airlines.

Commercial aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer says: “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 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,” adds SVP of engineering, technology and corporate strategy Luis Carlos Affonso. “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 per cent 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, was broadcast live from Amsterdam and Sao Jose dos Campos. As well as presentations from the chief engineer and commercial aviation CEO, it features a tour of the two concepts: Energia H2 Fuel Cell and Energia Hybrid Electric.