Shortly after obtaining flight clearance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), ZeroAvia successfully completed the first flight of the world’s largest hydrogen-based electric airplane prototype with a capacity of 19 passengers.Hydrogen-based electric planes are coming
ZeroAvia has flown the world’s largest hydrogen-powered electric aircraft, taking a big step forward for sustainable aviation. Equipped with a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain, the 19-seat, twin-engine Dornier 228 aircraft has completed a 10-minute test flight, taking off from Cotswold Airport in the United Kingdom. Additionally, note that this project is part of the HyFlyer II project, a government-funded R&D program that seeks to make small passenger aircraft better for the environment.
ZeroAvia is working to develop zero-emission commercial aircraft operations with a 600kW powertrain by 2024 and aims to develop nine to nineteen-seat aircraft with a range of approximately 480 km. This propulsion system will then be followed by a 90-seat version of two to five megawatts targeting a range of 1126 km.The aircraft’s powertrain, developed by ZeroAvia, was fed using “compressed gaseous hydrogen produced by an electrolyzer”. Two fuel cell stacks and lithium-ion battery packs placed in the cabin provided the prototype aircraft’s test configuration. On the other hand, the support ZeroAvia receives is of course not limited to government programs. In addition to $35 million in financing from United Airlines, the company has also received investments from Alaska Air Group.
Increasing use of hydrogen for zero emissions
In the light of all this, we would not be wrong to say that hydrogen will be a major factor in our lives in zero emission targets. In the field of aviation, hydrogen fueled aircraft engine tests of Rolls-Royce and easyJet continue. On the one hand, China is developing high-speed hydrogen trains, while Toyota is working on the hydrogen-fueled Hilux.
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