rolls-royce + tecnam to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft in 2026

rolls-royce and tecnam have joined forces with widerøe — the largest regional airline in scandinavia — to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market by 2026. the project expands on the successful research program between rolls-royce and widerøe on sustainable aviation and the existing partnership between rolls-royce and tecnam on powering the all-electric P-volt aircraft.

the program will look to cover all elements of developing and delivering an all-electric passenger aircraft that could be used in the norwegian market from 2026. due to its topography, norway makes extensive use of aviation for regional connectivity and has an ambition for all domestic flights to be zero emissions by 2040. rolls-royce will bring its expertise in propulsion and power systems, tecnam will provide aircraft design, manufacturing and certification capabilities. widerøe’s mission will be to ensure that all competence and requirements of an airline operator are in place for entry into service in 2026.

‘norway’s extensive network of short take-off and landing airports is ideal for zero emissions technologies,’ said stein nilsen, chief executive, widerøe. ‘this aircraft shows how quickly new technology can and will be developed, and that we are on track with our ambition of flying with zero emissions around 2025.’

the collaboration offers an opportunity to develop an exciting solution to the commuter aircraft market. before the pandemic, widerøe offered around 400 flights per day using a network of 44 airports, where 74% of the flights have distances less than 275 km. the shortest flight durations are between seven and fifteen minutes. developing all-electric aircraft will enable people to be connected sustainably and will fulfill wideroe’s ambition to make its first all-electric flight by 2026. the all-electric P-volt aircraft, which is based on the 11-seat tecnam P2012 traveler aircraft is ideal for the short take-off and landing as well as for routes in the north and the west coast of norway.