UK’s jet zero flies higher with £113m

A hydrogen-powered aircraft developed by Rolls-Royce will be backed among other projects

Passengers across the UK could soon fly without environmental guilt as the government announced backing for projects designed to deliver technologies for cleaner skies.

Electric flying taxis and a hydrogen-powered aircraft are among the projects set to benefit from a new £113 million investment from the government and industry.

More specifically, the funding will support the development of lightweight batteries for small aircraft and projects led by Rolls-Royce to develop a zero-emission liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine.

Through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, government and industry are jointly backing new technologies to unlock the potential of zero-emissions flights.

A recent example of this ATI backing is the maiden flight of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered 19-seater aircraft last month.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “As the whole world moves to greener forms of aviation, there is a massive opportunity for the UK’s aerospace industry to secure clean, green jobs and growth for decades to come.”

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