Airbus is determined to assemble the world’s first zero-emission planes by 2035. Three concepts of zero-emission commercial aircraft are currently under study. The aerospace corporation is ready to inject billions of investment into the project.
Zero-emission planes: the long-awaited breakthrough for green aviation finally realized
Emissions have become a major concern in the aviation industry. In 2005, the global aviation industry promised to half down the emission projections by 2050. The target is only achievable by cutting a significant amount of crude-oil based jet fuel usage in the sector.
However, the currently existing environmental-friendly alternative costs a lot. Fewer demands resulted in fewer productions. CNN Business reported the aviation industry only produced about 50 million litres of sustainable aviation fuels in 2019. Meanwhile, airlines used up roughly 340 billion litres of jet fuel.
Though the aviation sector is currently in its worst state due to the pandemic, this period can instead become a turning point for the industry to shift into a sustainable business.
Three zero-emission plane concepts under discussion, to use hydrogen as the fuel
The planemaker has recently revealed three ZEROe concepts: a turbofan, a turboprop and blended-wing body design. Each design has differing passengers’ limits, travel range, turbine engine, and body design. Different planes will accommodate different travel needs.
Airbus’ zero-emission planes plan to utilize hydrogen as the primary source of power for planes. Quoted from CNN Business, CEO Guillaume Faury mentioned that hydrogen can be integrated both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial craft. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel has the potential to cut aviation sector’s carbon emissions into half.
Airbus ready to go big with the project
Airbus stated that the company will need three to five years to come up with the final design for development. Glen Llewellyn, zero-emission aircraft’s vice president, is ready to inject billions of investment in the project.
Faury added that support from the entire aviation ecosystem may ease the transition from crude-oil based fuel to hydrogen. Not only private enterprises, the government’s support will also play a big role in the massive change. Faury hopes a lot of countries will further receive sufficient fund for research and technology to understand the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
Read also: Green Investing for a Better Earth
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