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Impacts & Benefits

Electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) technologies provide a number of different economic, environmental, and spin-off benefits that can positively impact our lives and help improve the flying experience for all.  

Economic
Travel
Environmental
Spin-off

Strengthening the Economy 

EAP technologies could help make air travel more cost-effective than traditional aircraft. In addition to reduced in-flight energy costs due to less fuel consumption, electrified systems and components are often easier to maintain with fewer repairs required. This can help cut down on maintenance costs for airline operators and ultimately make flying more affordable for the public.  

EAP innovations also have the potential to reinvigorate the regional and emerging smaller aircraft markets transporting less than 100 passengers and strengthen the single-aisle aircraft market transporting around 180 passengers.  

By growing and expanding new aviation markets, these technologies will help create new jobs in the U.S and maintain the competitiveness of the nation’s commercial aircraft industry.  

A turboprop airplane with a white and red livery gets towed out of an aircraft hangar with a white truck onto a concrete tarmac with a clear blue sky in the background.
NASA is collaborating with industry to conduct ground and flight tests of electrified aircraft propulsion technologies for future commercial aircraft markets. This De Havilland Canada DHC-7, or Dash 7, aircraft will serve as a research vehicle for electric motor manufacturer magniX to test hybrid electric propulsion systems under NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. This vehicle will help showcase emission reductions and performance boosts for future regional aircraft carrying up to 50 passengers.
NASA

Improving the Travel Experience

EAP technologies are quieter and enable unique airframe design configurations that help reduce noise over local communities, especially when operating over crowded communities at night. Airframe designs such as a hybrid wing body offer higher-lift capabilities that can allow larger aircraft to operate using shorter runways and utilize more small, underused airports. This helps reduce traffic and congestion at larger airports, while allowing more flights out of local airports and minimizing the need for layovers for longer-distance flights.  

A rendering showing a single-aisle aircraft with a hybrid propulsion system, including distributed wing-mounted electric engines and a single aft engine, parked at an airport gate with a jet bridge extended to the front of the plane. The words “SUSAN Electrofan” and “PAX 180” are displayed along the side of the fuselage, along with the NASA insignia on the side and tail of the aircraft. Several other aircraft sit scattered in the background on the tarmac, with various buildings and hills in the distance.
An artist’s rendering of NASA’s SUbsonic Single Aft eNgine (SUSAN) Electrofan concept, showcasing the aircraft in operation with current airport infrastructure.
NASA

Protecting Our Environment

The aviation industry currently makes up around 2-3% of all global carbon emissions, with the largest segment of fuel burn coming from the single-aisle aircraft market. By electrifying aircraft propulsion systems to combine electrical power with traditional fuel sources, the total amount of energy required per flight is reduced, which helps cut down on carbon and other emissions.  

NASA’s research in EAP technologies helps support the aviation industry’s goals of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Even small improvements in fuel efficiency for single-aisle aircraft will have large impacts on emission reductions.

A top view of a truss-braced wing commercial aircraft flying over a forest of green trees.
An artist’s rendering of NASA’s Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept aircraft aiming to make future air travel more efficient with lower fuel burn.
NASA

Spin-off Applications

EAP technologies can be applied to other ground-based applications, helping to further research investment benefits. Lightweight, efficient motors and power systems used in electrified aircraft are also applicable to ships and mobile generator stations. Mass production of EAP technologies for ground applications can help lower production costs for both aviation and spin-off applications.  

A woman wearing a flannel shirt and jeans kneels on the ground while holding a large metal device. Next to her is a metal apparatus with blue and white cables feeding through holes in the wall.
A researcher sets up a cruise motor controller for thermal testing. This system helps turn battery energy into power for onboard motors in future electrified aircraft.
NASA

Explore More EAP

An artist rendering of a rectangular-shaped aircraft converter with various wires and circuiting systems displayed on the inside.

EAP Technology

Discover the innovative systems and technologies that enable safe and efficient electrified propulsion.

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An illustration of a plane with four propellors under the wing – one on either side of the aircraft fuselage and one on each wingtip. The plane flies against a blue sky with clouds.

FAQs

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about electrified aircraft development and integration.

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An image of a deskop computer displaying a technical paper with an iPhone in front to the right displaying the front page of NASA’s Technical Report Server website.

Publications

Dive deeper into the technical reports, developments, and findings from NASA's research in electrified aircraft propulsion.

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