Development and application of multi-dimensional evaluation framework for hybrid-electric aircraft

Hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a pivotal enabler for low-carbon aviation, offering significant potential in energy efficiency and emission reduction. This paper addresses the lack of standardized, quantifiable, and comparable methods for assessing Hybrid-Electric Aircraft (HEA). We propose a five-dimension evaluation framework spanning performance, environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, passenger comfort, and safety. Applicable across diverse propulsion architectures, mission profiles, and technological assumptions, the framework goes beyond simple aggregation by introducing two core measures: Capability Score, which characterizes the aircraft design’s capability boundary, and Balance Score, which characterizes inter-dimensional equilibrium as the compromise between advantages and compensations. Under a unified normalization and weighting scheme, these measures enable systematic comparison and trade-off diagnosis among HEA configurations. The framework’s accuracy and applicability are validated against published assessments of 1,000-nm HEA concepts. It provides methodological support for next-generation aircraft road-mapping and propulsion development; under the technical forecasting scenario adopted here, HEA is projected to surpass conventional systems in overall capability by 2040. Although this conclusion is contingent upon specific assumptions, the findings highlight the promising potential of HEA in advancing green aviation transformation. Collectively, the results demonstrate a universal and standardized quantitative evaluation tool for HEA design and decision-making, applicable across various propulsion architectures, mission requirements, and technological assumptions.