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Airbus unveils plans for zero-emission planes

Zero Emissions - Level 4

Airbus has unveiled big plans for the first zero-emission aircraft. It predicts its hydrogen-powered airplanes could be flying by 2035. Hydrogen is a move away from battery power, which many in the industry believe is the answer for carbon-zero airplanes. Batteries could be problematic for larger airplanes. Airbus said the switch to hydrogen needs "decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem". This means redesigned airports and ways of refuelling.

Airbus showed three "ZEROe" designs and will select one of them. It said this was "a historic moment for the aviation sector". It added it would "play a leading role in the most important transition" the industry has ever seen. Hydrogen fuel has the potential to greatly reduce aviation's impact on the climate. Airbus said: "We can rise up to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry."

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Zero Emissions - Level 5

The aircraft maker Airbus has unveiled big plans for the world's first zero-emission aircraft. The airline giant predicts its hydrogen-powered commercial airplanes could be flying by 2035. The concept is a shift away from battery power. Many in the industry believe batteries are the answer for carbon-zero airplanes. Airbus says batteries could be impractical for large airplanes and hydrogen is better. The company said the switch to hydrogen would require "decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem". This means redesigned airports and refuelling infrastructure.

The Airbus CEO said there were three designs. He said one of these will be chosen moving forward. He said the three "ZEROe" designs were "a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector". The CEO said: "We intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen." He added that hydrogen fuel had "the potential to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact". He added: "With the support from government...we can rise up to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry."

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Zero Emissions - Level 6

The airline manufacturer Airbus has unveiled ambitious plans for the world's first zero-emission aircraft. The aerospace giant predicts its hydrogen-powered commercial airplanes could be in service by 2035. The concept revealed by company engineers shows a shift away from battery power. Many in the industry believe batteries are the way forward for carbon-zero airplanes. However, Airbus says batteries could prove impractical for large airliners and have opted for hydrogen propulsion. A company spokesperson said the transition to hydrogen would require "decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem". This means redesigned airports and significantly different refuelling infrastructure.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said the company has three possible designs, one of which will be adopted as a business enterprise. He said the three "ZEROe" designs represented "a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole". Mr Faury said: "We intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen." He added that the use of hydrogen as a fuel had "the potential to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact". Faury was upbeat about the future, saying: "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."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson