Airbus bets billions on hydrogen-powered planes
European manufacturer has touted various potential short- and medium-range designs, but the simplest and smallest seem most viable amid technological and demand uncertainty
Airbus believes hydrogen-powered planes are well-suited to cutting emissions from intra-continental air travel, but longer-range aircraft will rely on sustainable aviation fuel to reduce their environmental impact, a company spokeswoman tells Hydrogen Economist. Last September, Airbus unveiled three ZEROe hydrogen-powered concept planes that it claims could enter commercial service in 2035. The turboprop concept could fly up to 100 passengers to a range of c.1,000 nautical miles, while the turbofan and blended-wing configurations would have double the capacity and range. Airbus revealed another potential design in December in which a plane would have three, eight-bladed engines on each wing.
Also in this section
24 April 2024
Demand for energy purposes to outpace feedstock applications by the 2040s as government policies drive consumption, says DNV
24 April 2024
Danish firm joins growing list of European electrolyser manufacturers establishing production in US as IRA incentives prove strong draw
19 April 2024
UAE renewables developer weighs opportunities to join green hydrogen projects in US and Canada, Andreas Bieringer, director of green hydrogen business development and commercial, tells Hydrogen Economist
17 April 2024
Building green hydrogen ports and lower production costs key to becoming global exporter