airbus has unveiled three zero-emission commercial aircraft concepts that could take to the skies by 2035. dubbed ZEROe, the game-changing concepts are powered by hydrogen, a disruptive zero-emission technology aiming to reduce aircraft emissions by up to 50%.

airbus unveils the ZEROe concept — three zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled aircrafts
images by airbus

 

 

each airbus ZEROe concept represents a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight, exploring different technology paths and aerodynamic configurations in order to pave the way in the decarbonization of the aviation industry. one of the concepts looks like a classical commercial aircraft; another resembles a turboprop-powered airliner; and the third is a blended-wing body — a ground-breaking design with an exceptional wide interior. what ties them is the hydrogen propulsion.

 

‘as recently as five years ago, hydrogen propulsion wasn’t even on our radar as a viable emission-reduction technology pathway,’ explains glenn llewellyn, airbus VP, zero-emission aircraft. ‘but convincing data from other transport industries quickly changed all that. today, we’re excited by the incredible potential hydrogen offers aviation in terms of disruptive emissions reduction.’

airbus unveils the ZEROe concept — three zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled aircrafts

 

 

to fly, the airbus ZEROe concepts are powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel. simultaneously, they also use hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power, complementing the gas turbine and resulting in a highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion system. ‘I strongly believe that the use of hydrogen – both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft – has the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact,’ says guillaume faury, airbus CEO. 

airbus unveils the ZEROe concept — three zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled aircrafts

 

 

the three concepts – all code-named ZEROe – include: a turbofan design (120-200 passengers) with a range of 2,000+ nautical miles, capable of operating transcontinentally; a turboprop design (up to 100 passengers) using a turboprop engine instead of a turbofan and also powered by hydrogen combustion in modified gas-turbine engines, which would be capable of traveling more than 1,000 nautical miles, making it a perfect option for short-haul trips; and a blended-wing body design (up to 200 passengers) concept in which the wings merge with the main body of the aircraft with a range similar to that of the turbofan concept.

airbus unveils the ZEROe concept — three zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled aircrafts

 

 

‘these concepts will help us explore and mature the design and layout of the world’s first climate-neutral, zero-emission commercial aircraft, which we aim to put into service by 2035,’ concludes faury. ‘the transition to hydrogen, as the primary power source for these concept planes, will require decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem. together with the support from government and industrial partners we can rise up to this challenge to scale-up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry.’

 

 

project info

 

name: airbus ZEROe concepts

company: airbus

launching date: 2035