Airbus Unveils Vision for Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft by 2030s
Key Ideas
- Airbus plans to introduce a commercially viable hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft by the second half of the 2030s, with the first stage being a ZEROe aircraft with electric propeller propulsion.
- The hydrogen fuel cells in the aircraft will convert hydrogen into electricity through a chemical reaction, producing only water as a byproduct and making the process almost carbon-neutral when using renewable energy.
- The proposed concept includes four propellers powered by individual fuel cell stacks, driving the aircraft with two-megawatt electric propulsion engines fueled by liquid hydrogen tanks.
- Airbus is committed to advancing hydrogen-powered flight technology and aims to revolutionize air transport by complementing sustainable aviation fuel pathways, focusing on refining storage, distribution, and propulsion systems in the coming years.
Airbus has revealed its vision for a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft expected to be in service by the second half of the 2030s. The plan includes the development of a ZEROe aircraft featuring electric propeller propulsion powered by hydrogen fuel cells. These cells will convert hydrogen into electricity, with water being the only byproduct, ensuring a nearly carbon-neutral process when renewable energy is used. The aircraft concept also involves four propellers, each driven by its own fuel cell stack and supported by two liquid hydrogen tanks. Airbus remains dedicated to decarbonizing aviation through hydrogen technology, highlighting the potential for hydrogen-powered flight to revolutionize air transport alongside sustainable aviation fuel pathways. The company will focus on advancing storage, distribution, and propulsion systems while advocating for the necessary regulatory framework to enable the deployment of these innovative aircraft in the future.