Aircraft Electric Motor Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (AC Motor, DC Motor), By Applications (Propulsion System, Flight Control System, Environmental Control System, Engine Control System, Avionics System, Door Actuation System, Landing and Braking System, Cabin Interior System, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.86 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.26%
Fastest Growing Segment	AC Motor
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 16.77 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aircraft Electric Motor Market will grow from USD 9.86 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.77 Billion by 2031 at a 9.26% CAGR. Aircraft electric motors are specialized electromechanical devices designed to convert electrical energy into mechanical power for driving propulsion fans, flight control surfaces, and onboard ancillary systems. The market is fundamentally supported by stringent global environmental regulations aiming to decarbonize the aviation sector, alongside the critical operational necessity to reduce fuel dependency and maintenance costs. These drivers are distinct from transient industry trends, representing a structural shift toward sustainable aviation architectures. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, the global aviation industry emitted 942 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a figure that underscores the intensifying regulatory pressure compelling manufacturers to accelerate the integration of electric propulsion technologies.

Despite the robust demand, the market faces a significant impediment regarding the current energy density limitations of battery technology. This technical constraint imposes severe weight penalties that restrict the range and payload capacity of electric aircraft, currently confining the widespread application of high-power electric motors to short-haul and light aircraft segments while delaying their deployment in larger commercial airframes.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing implementation of stringent environmental regulations and government-led research incentives acts as a primary catalyst for the market. Governments globally are channeling capital into aerospace sectors to transition away from fossil fuels, thereby mandating the integration of electric drivetrains in next-generation airframes. This financial support directly reduces the high barrier to entry for developing flight-certified high-voltage motors. According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, November 2024, in the 'Autumn Budget 2024', the government committed £975 million over five years to the aerospace sector specifically to support manufacturing and the development of green technologies. This influx of public funding allows original equipment manufacturers to prioritize the testing and certification of electric propulsion systems required for regional and short-haul flight operations.

The accelerating development of Urban Air Mobility and eVTOL platforms further propels the demand for specialized electric motors. Unlike traditional aviation which relies on centralized turbines, these aircraft utilize distributed electric propulsion requiring multiple high-power-density motors per unit to ensure safety and vertical lift capabilities. This architectural shift creates a volume-based demand distinct from legacy aerospace requirements. According to Archer Aviation, August 2024, in the 'Q2 2024 Shareholder Letter', the company maintained an indicative order book valued at nearly $6 billion, reflecting the substantial commercial interest in electric vertical takeoff solutions. To meet such delivery commitments, supply chains are expanding rapidly. According to BETA Technologies, in 2024, the company secured $318 million in Series C equity capital to scale the production of its electric aircraft and proprietary electric propulsion systems.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment restricting the expansion of the Global Aircraft Electric Motor Market is the severe energy density limitation inherent in current battery technologies. This technical bottleneck forces a disadvantageous trade-off between aircraft weight and operational range, as the substantial mass of batteries required to match the energy output of conventional fuel creates prohibitive weight penalties. Consequently, electric motors are currently rendered unsuitable for medium-to-long-haul commercial flights, which constitute the majority of aviation revenue, thereby confining the technology to niche segments such as pilot training and short-distance urban mobility.

This disparity in energy storage capability directly stifles market adoption by limiting the commercial viability of electric aircraft for standard passenger and cargo operations. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, conventional jet fuel delivered an energy density of approximately 43.3 megajoules per kilogram, whereas available battery technologies provided only a minute fraction of this capacity. This immense performance gap compels airframe manufacturers to delay the integration of high-power electric motors into larger regional and commercial fleets, significantly slowing the sector's overall developmental trajectory.

Key Market Trends

The development of megawatt-class electric propulsion systems represents a critical evolution, moving the market beyond low-power motors suitable only for light urban aircraft toward solutions capable of powering regional and single-aisle commercial airliners. Manufacturers are aggressively scaling up power density to replace or augment conventional turboprops, addressing the substantial thrust requirements of military and commercial heavy-lift platforms. This technological shift is characterized by the creation of high-voltage architectures that can handle the immense thermal and electrical loads required for larger airframes, effectively bridging the gap between experimental prototypes and viable commercial transport. According to GE Aerospace, November 2024, in the press release 'GE Aerospace demonstrates hybrid electric propulsion system for U.S. Army', the company successfully demonstrated a hybrid electric propulsion system rated at one megawatt, maturing technologies applicable to future single-aisle aircraft propulsion.

Simultaneously, the integration of High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) technology combined with cryogenic liquid hydrogen cooling is emerging as a transformative trend to overcome thermal management and weight challenges in high-power motors. By utilizing liquid hydrogen to cool motor windings, engineers can eliminate electrical resistance, drastically increasing efficiency and power-to-weight ratios compared to conventional copper-wound systems. This technological convergence is essential for making multi-megawatt electric powertrains operationally viable, as it negates the heavy cooling infrastructure typically required for standard electric motors of equivalent power. According to Aviation International News, October 2024, in the article 'Toshiba and Airbus Jointly Develop Superconducting Electric Motors', Airbus UpNext and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions pledged to co-develop a 2-megawatt superconducting electric motor specifically designed to support the decarbonization needs of future hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Segmental Insights

The AC motor segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the global aircraft electric motor market due to the rising demand for lightweight and efficient onboard systems. Manufacturers increasingly select alternating current motors because they provide a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to direct current options, directly contributing to fuel savings and operational efficiency. This shift is accelerated by the broader aviation industry transition toward electrified aircraft architectures. Furthermore, the robust design and reduced maintenance requirements of AC motors ensure compliance with the high safety reliability standards mandated by international aviation authorities.

Regional Insights

North America holds a dominant position in the Global Aircraft Electric Motor Market due to the concentration of major original equipment manufacturers and substantial investments in electric aviation technologies. The region benefits from a well-established aerospace infrastructure and increasing initiatives toward sustainable flight operations. The Federal Aviation Administration plays a critical role by developing necessary certification frameworks that facilitate the integration of electric propulsion systems. Furthermore, collaborative research projects involving NASA and private industry players accelerate the development of electric motor capabilities, creating a favorable environment for market expansion across the region.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Lockheed Martin expanded its strategic partnership with Electra.aero, a developer of hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing aircraft. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate the development and commercialization of the EL9 aircraft, which utilizes distributed electric propulsion. This collaboration focused on leveraging digital engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing capabilities to scale production. The agreement aimed to address both commercial and defense requirements for sustainable aviation, validating the operational advantages of hybrid-electric technology in logistics and contested environments.
• In February 2025, Safran Electrical & Power achieved a historic milestone by obtaining type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for its ENGINeUS 100 electric motor. This approval marked the first time a motor in this class was certified for the new air mobility sector, following a rigorous campaign involving over 1,500 hours of ground testing and significant flight operations. The 125-kilowatt air-cooled motor features integrated control electronics and a high power-to-weight ratio, positioning it for immediate integration into various electric and hybrid-electric aircraft platforms.
• In April 2024, ZeroAvia announced the commercial launch of its advanced electric propulsion components, making them available to other industry players. This new product offering included high-performance electric motors, such as a 660-kilowatt direct-drive unit and a 900-kilowatt modular motor, alongside silicon carbide inverters. To support this expansion, the company opened a new manufacturing facility designated as a Propulsion Center of Excellence in Washington state. This strategic move allowed the firm to leverage its vertical integration and capitalize on the growing demand for certified electric aviation powertrains.
• In March 2024, Rolls-Royce commenced bench testing for its newly assembled 320-kilowatt electric motor demonstrator at its technical facility in Norway. The direct-drive motor was developed specifically to power electric and hybrid-electric regional aircraft capable of carrying between nine and nineteen passengers. Engineering teams focused on optimizing the design to minimize weight and size while enhancing thermal management through a novel air-cooling system. This testing phase validated the basic mechanical and electrical functionality of the unit, marking a significant step toward scalable production for the commuter aircraft market.

Key Market Players

• Allied Motion Technologies, Inc.
• Meggitt plc
• Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
• Woodward, Inc.
• Rolls-Royce plc
• Ametek, Inc.
• MGM COMPRO International s. r. o.
• Emrax d.o.o
• ThinGap, Inc.
• Safran S.A.

By Type	By Applications	By Region
AC Motor DC Motor	Propulsion System Flight Control System Environmental Control System Engine Control System Avionics System Door Actuation System Landing and Braking System Cabin Interior System Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aircraft Electric Motor Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aircraft Electric Motor Market, By Type:

• AC Motor
• DC Motor

• Aircraft Electric Motor Market, By Applications:

• Propulsion System
• Flight Control System
• Environmental Control System
• Engine Control System
• Avionics System
• Door Actuation System
• Landing and Braking System
• Cabin Interior System
• Others

• Aircraft Electric Motor Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE