🚨 Airbus reveals plan to build zero-emission airliners, based on using hydrogen tech. Plans unveiled today show three different options on the table, with 2035 suggested as the entry-into-service:
Option 1: turbofan, 200 passengers, using liquid hydrogen stored in tanks
Option 2: propellors, 100 passengers
Option 3: the blended wing. Creates lots of space for hydrogen tanks
There is big interest in the blended wing concept, given the big fuel savings its promises. KLM is working on a prototype but it's a radical departure from conventional designs, so the technical/regulatory etc obstacles are mighty
Full story here on how the French government's virus bailout opened the door for this announcement: euractiv.com/section/aerosp…
There are also doubts about Airbus' "zero emission" claims already. Hydrogen combustion releases water vapour and NOx, both of which can have climate impacts at altitude. Non-CO2 emissions get little focus, great piece here via @CarbonBrief on them carbonbrief.org/guest-post-cal…
Adapting the existing A320 as a basis for a technology step-change (option 1) looks like the smart bet here. There's a reason why that sized aircraft is the most popular in the world
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