ATR to Pioneer the Launch of World’s First Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft by 2030
ATR, a leading European turboprop manufacturer, has been chosen by the EU’s Clean Aviation initiative to spearhead innovative projects. The goal? To launch the world’s first hybrid-electric regional aircraft by 2030. This announcement was made on September 9, 2025, in Toulouse, placing ATR at the cutting edge of sustainable aviation technology.
ATR is set to lead two significant development programs: HERACLES (Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft Concept for Low EmissionS) and DEMETRA (Demonstrator of an Electrified Modern Efficient Transport Regional Aircraft). These projects will showcase hybrid-electric propulsion, advanced propeller systems, and electrified aircraft technologies, with an ATR 72-600 serving as the test platform.
The hybrid-electric system will merge high-performance batteries with a thermal engine that is 100% compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Industry giants such as Safran, Collins Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney Canada will join forces on this project. The aim is to achieve up to 30% improved fuel efficiency and substantial carbon emission reductions.
“This is more than a technological demonstration, it’s a bold commitment to the future of regional aviation,” stated Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, CEO at ATR. “By launching the world’s first hybrid-electric regional aircraft by 2030, we aim to show that sustainability and connectivity can coexist.” This initiative is in line with the European Union’s climate goals and the aviation industry’s decarbonization ambitions.
Source: Aviation News Europe