Widerøe: electric in 2026?

Electric passenger flight has come another step closer now Norwegian regional airline Widerøe has revealed its ambitions. They have teamed up with Rolls-Royce and airplane manufacturer Tecnam to develop an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market.

The final product, the all-electric P-Volt, should be ready for revenue service in 2026. The design is based on the traditional 9-passenger Tecnam P2012 Traveller.

The project expands on the successful research programme between Rolls-Royce and Tecnam on sustainable aviation. Earlier a Tecnam P2010 single-engine aircraft was modified to be powered by the so-called H3PS1 propulsion system, the first parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system for General Aviation.

With its abundance of green hydro-electric and wind energy Norway has an ambition for all domestic flights to be zero emissions by 2040. On top of that the country, due to its topography, has an extensive network of short take-off and landing airports is ideal for the new technologies.

Artist impression: Rolls Royce