Why Airbus and others are betting on hydrogen-powered planes instead of electric planes

With 4.5 cardinal rider trips taken each twelvemonth and much than 16 cardinal planes taking disconnected successful the U.S. each year, craft are liable for 2.5% of planetary CO2 emissions, according to the Global Carbon Project, and the occupation is growing. One projected solution rivals the powerfulness of fossil fuels without the emissions — hydrogen. With the manufacture attempting to execute net-zero emissions by 2050, some large players similar Airbus and startups alike are exploring the technology.

"Airbus has been looking astatine hydrogen for a agelong clip and recently, wrong the past years, has accrued that focus. Looking astatine some hydrogen substance compartment and hydrogen combustion" says Martha Neubauer, elder subordinate astatine AeroDynamic Advisory.

Airbus announced concept designs for respective zero-emission, hydrogen-powered planes successful 2020 and intends to test a hydrogen motor connected an A380 successful 2026.  

Two startups, ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen, are besides pursuing hydrogen-powered aircraft. Both person precocious completed trial flights with regional-sized planes and are hoping to participate the marketplace by 2025. But important challenges prevarication ahead, from getting regulatory support to processing the hydrogen infrastructure.

Watch the video to larn wherefore Airbus and others are betting connected hydrogen.