ATR Aims for Low-Emissions Regional Aircraft

The next-generation low-emissions hybrid turboprop is being conceptualized by a PARIDES research project, with the Italian-French manufacturer ATR at the forefront.

The ATR hybrid turboprop named EVO is a regional aircraft with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen capability.

The ATR EVO aims to combine an ultra-efficient thermal engine with a battery-powered electrical motor. This means that electrical power will reduce the engine core size while maximizing the total propulsive system efficiency.

The major differences between EVO and the most popular ATR42-600 and ATR72-600 will be up to 30% reduced fuel usage and thus less CO2. The hybrid-electric propulsion will allow for lower noise inside and outside the cabin.

The innovation of the regional model is the capability to use both hybrid electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel.

The concept is planned for production in 2030, sources say. In 2023, ATR conducted an RFI to plan the procurement of an engine manufacturer to support the capabilities of the EVO aircraft. The latest partner for ATR for engine supply was Pratt & Whitney.

PARIDES is a Project of a Decarbonized and more Energy-efficient Incremental Regional Aircraft, which involves 10 participants since 2021. It is backed by the French government.