Rolls Royce CEO sticks it to fossil fuels, announces the future of flight is electric
The airline industry has been grappling with the dual challenge of rising fuel costs and increasing pollution levels for decades, but now executives agree the future is electric.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'Rolls Royce CEO sticks it to fossil fuels, announces the future of flight is electric', 311 Institute, 26 March. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/rolls-royce-ceo-sticks-it-to-fossil-fuels-announces-the-future-of-flight-is-electric/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Twenty years ago if you'd said that the future of cars was electric people would have scoffed in your face, but now, with major advances in battery energy density, polymers and supercapacitors noone's laughing anymore. Now, as the US gets ready to roll out 250,000 miles of new electric vehicle charging corridors, and Germany bans sales of the combustion engine from 2030, it's a question of when, not if, electric vehicles become the status quo.
Now Rolls Royce too is looking to an electric future, as its CEO, Warren East, positions the engineering company at the forefront of the next revolution in aviation, electrically powered aircraft.
East, setting out his plans to return the company to profit after one of the most troubled periods in its history, said Rolls Royce needed to be reshaped so that it could help to lead a number of big technological changes, including one of the most ground breaking of all, electrically powered aircraft.
The idea of jet engines one day being replaced by electric propulsion has long been dismissed because of the limited distance that existing designs are able to travel, but now East has signalled that Rolls is taking the concept seriously, and not just for small planes.
“There’s a lot of chatter about hybrid electric flight, not just little aeroplanes but regional aeroplanes. I’m convinced we will see these things happen sooner rather than later,” he said, adding, “there is a race on. We need to be ready by 2020 because people are talking about entry into service by 2030.”
What this means for your organisation
Incumbents are switching sides.
An engine maker built on jets now backs electric propulsion. That signals a real shift in the industry. Aviation suppliers should review how exposed they are to fossil fuel engines.
Regional routes go first.
Battery limits keep long flights out of reach for now. Short regional hops are the first target. Airlines and airports should study which routes could go electric.
The race is on.
Firms want to be ready well ahead of entry into service. Late movers risk losing contracts. Leaders should set timelines for electric capability now.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our routes could suit electric or hybrid aircraft?
- How exposed is our business to fossil fuel engines?
- When must we be ready for electric aviation?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The airline industry has been grappling with the dual challenge of rising fuel costs and increasing pollution levels for decades, but now executives agree the future is electric.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 26 March 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). Rolls Royce CEO sticks it to fossil fuels, announces the future of flight is electric. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/rolls-royce-ceo-sticks-it-to-fossil-fuels-announces-the-future-of-flight-is-electric/
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