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Airbus ZEROe: Are zero-emission planes the future of air travel?
Sep 22, 2020
Airbus has unveiled plans for a “zero emission” hydrogen-fuelled aircraft that could take to the skies in 2035.
But while the technology shows promise, it’s unlikely to replace fossil fuel-powered planes any time soon.
Airbus this week released three prototypes for the hybrid aircraft named ZEROe, which will be “powered by hydrogen combustion through modified gas-turbine engines” with liquid hydrogen “used as fuel for combustion with oxygen”.
“At Airbus, we have the ambition to develop the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035,” the firm proclaimed.
“Hydrogen propulsion will help us to deliver on this ambition.”
The announcement comes as the air travel industry continues to struggle in the face of coronavirus shutdowns, while facing increasing pressure to curb its carbon footprint.
“Aviation is one of the most challenging areas of the economy to reduce emissions,” ClimateWorks Australia program manager Rob Kelly said.
Innovation such as Airbus’ ZEROe “will be very valuable in moving the sector towards a net zero pathway”, Mr Kelly said.
“Hydrogen is an incredibly important part of the transition across much of the economy, particularly for future emissions reductions in steel, chemicals and heavy transport.”
The hydrogen technology spruiked by Airbus has “been in the mix for quite some time”, University of Sydney chair in transport and logistics management Rico Merkert explained.
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