Industry Norway aims to fly fully electric by 2040

Air traffic itself represents around 95 per cent of all emissions from aviation. Thus, the most effective method to reduce this number is to involve new fuels, aircraft and more efficient use of airspace. Eventually, the industry might even see the introduction of a fully electric aircraft in about 10 years’ time.

In the Norwegian aviation industry, greenhouse gas emissions have more than halved since 2001. Due to more modern aircraft fleets with improved engines and efficient materials such as carbon fibre, the fuel consumption was significantly lowered.

Also, the fuel plays an important role in lowering emissions. In January 2016, Oslo Airport became the first international hub to provide all airlines with biofuel. Since then, this service was extended to Bergen Airport. Biofuel enjoys high significance in Norway. Avinor said, it would be “important to use only those parts of the tree which cannot be used for products such as construction materials.”

But as innovation develops rapidly, Airbus, Boeing and Siemens are already making progress in developing concepts for electric aircraft. By 2025-2030, electric passenger airplanes could be available on the short-haul market. And - according to Avinor – Norway wants to be one of the first countries to introduce the electrification of commercial aviation.

The short-haul segment is said to be the most ideal market regarding passenger capacity, distances and the required infrastructure. Avinor and Norges Luftsportforbund have teamed up with the Scandinavian airlines Widerøe and SAS, with the vision to develop a long-term project for electric aircraft. This cooperation is set to introduce Norway as test arena and innovation centre for the electrification of aviation.

Recently, Boeing invested in the American Zunum Aero. The company develops an electric aircraft with 19 seats, which may fit the Norwegian market very well, since the aircraft can be used in the short-haul market. The maiden flight is planned for 2022.