Airbus has unveiled three different designs for what claims will be the ‘world’s first’ zero-emission commercial jet.
Named ZEROe, the planes would be powered mainly with liquid hydrogen, could potentially carry up 200 passengers and travel with a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles.
Each of the designs represents a different approach to achieving a flight with zero emissions, using technologies and aerodynamic configurations – despite not having any detailed plans available, the company suggests they could start flying by 2035.
The company believes hydrogen as a power source could hold the key to the decarbonisation of aerospace and other industries.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, said: “This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen.
“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.”