Rolls Royce, Airbus and Siemens are collaborating to build up a hybrid traveller plane that would utilise a solitary electric turbofan alongside three customary jet engines running on aviation fuel.

The aircraft is a push to create and show innovation that later on could help restrict discharges of carbon dioxide from aviation and lessen the dependence on petroleum derivatives.

The three companies today said they aim to build a flying version of the E-Fan X technology demonstrator plane by 2020. The aircraft would be based on the existing BAe 146 four- engine regional jet.

Other projects for electric or hybrid aircraft are in the works. Kirkland, Washington-based Zunum Aero says it is working on a 12-seat hybrid-electric commuter jet. The company’s website lists its partners as Boeing, jetBlue Technology Ventures, and the Department of Commerce Clean Energy Fund.