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The Future of Electric and Hybrid Aircraft in South Asia: Opportunities, Challenges and the Path Toward Sustainable Aviation


Authors : Abrar Haque Bhuiyan Nahal

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/t2a672rw

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yewes7nn

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul1653

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The aviation industry is undergoing a major technological transformation as it seeks sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel-powered aircraft. Growing concerns over climate change, rising fuel costs, and international commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated the development of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. While Europe, North America, and parts of Asia have made significant progress in adopting these technologies, South Asia remains at an early stage despite its rapidly expanding aviation market. This review paper examines the current status of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft technologies and explores their future potential in South Asia, with particular emphasis on Bangladesh. It reviews recent academic studies, industry developments, and reports from international aviation organizations to evaluate technological progress, infrastructure readiness, regulatory challenges, and environmental benefits. The paper highlights key issues such as battery technology, hybrid-electric propulsion systems, airport charging infrastructure, and certification requirements. The review identifies several barriers to the adoption of electric aviation in South Asia, including limited research and development, inadequate infrastructure, high investment costs, and evolving regulatory frameworks. However, increasing passenger demand, expanding airport networks, renewable energy development, and opportunities for international collaboration provide a strong foundation for future growth. The study concludes that hybrid-electric aircraft are likely to serve as the most practical transition technology for regional aviation, while fully electric aircraft may become increasingly viable as battery technology advances. Strategic investment in research, infrastructure, education, and supportive policies will be essential for enabling South Asia to participate in the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable air transportation.

Keywords : Electric Aircraft; Hybrid-Electric Propulsion; Sustainable Aviation; South Asia; Bangladesh; Battery Technology; Green Aviation; Regional Air Transport; Aviation Decarbonization; Future Aerospace Technologies.

References :

  1. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Environmental Report 2022, Montreal, Canada, 2022.
  2. International Air Transport Association (IATA), Net Zero Roadmaps for Aviation, Montreal, Canada, 2023.
  3. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Special Condition for Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Systems, Cologne, Germany, 2021.
  4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) Research Overview, Washington, DC, USA, 2023.
  5. Airbus, ZEROe: Towards the World's First Zero-Emission Commercial Aircraft, Toulouse, France, 2024.
  6. Heart Aerospace, ES-30 Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2024.
  7. Eviation Aircraft, Alice Electric Aircraft Technical Overview, Arlington, WA, USA, 2024.
  8. A. W. Schäfer, S. R. H. Barrett, K. Doyme, et al., "Technological, economic and environmental prospects of all-electric aircraft," Nature Energy, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 160–166, 2019.
  9. B. J. Brelje and J. R. R. A. Martins, "Electric, Hybrid, and Turboelectric Fixed-Wing Aircraft: A Review of Concepts, Models, and Design Approaches," Journal of Aircraft, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 1324–1342, 2019.
  10. International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Technology Perspectives 2023, Paris, France, 2023.
  11. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Climate Action Plan, Washington, DC, USA, 2021.
  12. Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Annual Report 2023–2024, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  13. Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, National Civil Aviation Policy, New Delhi, India, 2016.
  14. Airports Council International (ACI), Airport Sustainability Strategy, Montreal, Canada, 2022.
  15. Boeing, 2024 Sustainability Report, Arlington, VA, USA, 2024.

The aviation industry is undergoing a major technological transformation as it seeks sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel-powered aircraft. Growing concerns over climate change, rising fuel costs, and international commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated the development of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. While Europe, North America, and parts of Asia have made significant progress in adopting these technologies, South Asia remains at an early stage despite its rapidly expanding aviation market. This review paper examines the current status of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft technologies and explores their future potential in South Asia, with particular emphasis on Bangladesh. It reviews recent academic studies, industry developments, and reports from international aviation organizations to evaluate technological progress, infrastructure readiness, regulatory challenges, and environmental benefits. The paper highlights key issues such as battery technology, hybrid-electric propulsion systems, airport charging infrastructure, and certification requirements. The review identifies several barriers to the adoption of electric aviation in South Asia, including limited research and development, inadequate infrastructure, high investment costs, and evolving regulatory frameworks. However, increasing passenger demand, expanding airport networks, renewable energy development, and opportunities for international collaboration provide a strong foundation for future growth. The study concludes that hybrid-electric aircraft are likely to serve as the most practical transition technology for regional aviation, while fully electric aircraft may become increasingly viable as battery technology advances. Strategic investment in research, infrastructure, education, and supportive policies will be essential for enabling South Asia to participate in the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable air transportation.

Keywords : Electric Aircraft; Hybrid-Electric Propulsion; Sustainable Aviation; South Asia; Bangladesh; Battery Technology; Green Aviation; Regional Air Transport; Aviation Decarbonization; Future Aerospace Technologies.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - August - 2026

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