Airbus shows hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine, which aims to be put into use by 2035

CTOnews.com, December 1 (Xinhua)-- Airbus (Airbus) announced the development of a hydrogen fuel cell engine designed for aircraft as part of its goal of zero emission aircraft by 2035.

▲ hydrogen fuel cell engine, unlike the recently announced hydrogen-burning jet engines by Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Airbus hydrogen fuel-cell engines will use electric motors like cars while emitting only water. The company said hydrogen fuel cell engines could eventually be used in commercial aircraft and could carry as many as 100 passengers for about 1000 nautical miles (1852 km).

Airbus plans to test the engine on its A380 MSN1 prototype in the mid-2020s and is currently retrofitting the aircraft to carry liquid hydrogen tanks.

Glenn Llewellyn, vice president of ▲ Airbus A380 Airbus zero-emission aircraft, said: "fuel cells are a potential solution to help us achieve our zero-emission goal, and we are focused on developing and testing this technology to see if zero-emission aircraft can be put into use in 2035."

The company did not provide further details, but fuel cells are well known for automotive technology. If the efficiency of fuel production and conversion to electricity is calculated, the efficiency of fuel cell vehicles is much lower than that of battery electric vehicles (BEV). However, fuel cells have a larger range, faster fuel loading and lighter weight, so they are more suitable for airplanes.