The aviation industry is on the verge of a major shift in propulsion, experts say.

As part of Siemens Innovation Day held recently in Chicago—created, in part, to highlight the company's progress to date in the world of electric and hybrid electric aircraft—the German industrial giant offered a first U.S. look at its electric GA aircraft, a Magnus LSA fitted with a 55-kW Siemens electric motor.

Siemens vice president of electric and hybrid-electric propulsion Terry Hamlin said the company has no intention of becoming an OEM but wants to be part of the electric solution to the aviation industry by partnering with other companies to demonstrate its expertise in designing and building electric propulsion systems. Siemens is currently working closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce on the eFan regional airplane.

Hamlin said Siemens believes "the aviation industry is on the verge of a major shift in propulsion," focused around three main drivers. "One is a reduction in [fossil] fuel consumption. Another is a significant reduction in emissions that can only be met by really disruptive technologies. Finally, there's the needed reduction in aircraft noise."

Greg Bowles agrees too that a significant change is coming to aircraft propulsion. As the General Aviation Manufacturers Association's vice president of global innovation and policy, he manages the association's electric propulsion and innovation committee.

Siemens says electric will become an industry standard by 2050 with a move to electrification already moving along much faster than the company expected.

"We might have a market ramp-up to a certified electric system by 2021, possibly before the end of 2020. We'll be partnering with OEMs to help them integrate and maintain these electric systems," Hamlin said.