ZEROe
Towards the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft
The next frontier in aviation
ALTERNATIVE PROPULSION
Airbus’ ambition is to bring to market the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. To get there, our ZEROe project is exploring a variety of configurations and technologies, as well as preparing the ecosystem that will produce and supply the hydrogen.
Hydrogen propulsion to power future aircraft
All four ZEROe concepts are powered by hydrogen.
In the case of hydrogen combustion, gas turbines with modified fuel injectors and fuel systems are powered with hydrogen in a similar manner to how aircraft are powered today.
A second method, hydrogen fuel cells, creates electrical energy which in turn powers electric motors that turn a propeller or fan. This is a fully electric propulsion system, quite different to the propulsion system on aircraft currently in service.
These technologies are complementary, and the benefits are additive.
ZEROe concepts
Turbofan
Range: 2,000+ nm | Passengers: <200
Two hybrid-hydrogen turbofan engines provide thrust.
Turboprop
Range: 1,000+ nm | Passengers: <100
Two hybrid-hydrogen turboprop engines, which drive eight-bladed propellers, provide thrust.
Blended-Wing Body (BWB)
Range: 2,000+ nm | Passengers: <200
Two hybrid-hydrogen turbofan engines provide thrust.
Fully electric ZEROe concept
ZEROe CONCEPTS
The fully electric concept was revealed in December 2020. It is based on an electric propeller propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which transform the hydrogen into electricity through a chemical reaction. In 2023, the ZEROe teams powered on the future hydrogen-propulsion system designed for the fully electric concept aircraft.
Discover ZEROe concepts
Technology and Testing
Airbus is meeting a number of technology and testing milestones as it moves towards its ambition of bringing to market a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035.
Many of these milestones revolve around establishing the means of propulsion, either via hybrid hydrogen-electric fuel cells or direct hydrogen combustion. Airbus has even established a joint venture with automotive supplierElringKlinger AG, Airbus Aerostack, to develop hydrogen fuel cell stacks at the heart of an electric propulsion system.
Airbus is exploring both hydrogen-combustion and fuel-cell propulsion technologies, for which demonstrators have been launched. It has also set-up dedicated Development Centres in France, the UK, Germany and Spain to work on tanks and cryogenic fuel systems.
Airbus test aircraft A380 MSN1 is taking the lead in testing these technologies that will be vital to bringing a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market.
-
Airbus Faces ZEROe
Meet some of the faces behind ZEROe, and read about the passions, dreams and ambitions that drive them. Want to join them? We’re hiring!
Ecosystem
The race for hydrogen-powered commercial aviation starts on the ground. Hydrogen has to be produced, transported and stored in the right quantity, at the right time, place and cost. Its production and use must be regulated and certified.
Airbus believes the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure at airports is a prerequisite to support the widespread scale-up and adoption of hydrogen aircraft. We’re partnering with hydrogen producers and distributors worldwide, airports and airlines to build the right ecosystem to operate a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035. We’re already bringing together all the key players to the table.
Discover Airbus' ZEROe Series
The Countdown to ZEROe: Episode 1: Tanks
-
Airbus Aerostack
Fuel cell stacks: The heart of pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation
The latest in ZEROe
In the spotlight
Developing a global ecosystem to support hydrogen-powered flight
The Airbus Hydrogen Hubs at Airports programme aims to secure the supply and distribution of hydrogen at airports in advance of…
Airbus partners with Avolon to explore future of hydrogen aviation
Airbus has announced a new partnership with aircraft lessor, Avolon, to study the potential of hydrogen-powered aircraft, marking…
Airbus welcomes London Gatwick to global hydrogen hub network
Airbus has teamed up with London Gatwick, easyJet and Air Products, the world’s largest hydrogen supplier, to expand hydrogen…
Airbus, Aena, Air Nostrum, Iberia, Exolum and Repsol join forces to study the…
Airbus, Aena, Air Nostrum, Iberia, Exolum and Repsol are partnering to study the creation of the first hydrogen airport hub…
-
Airbus NOVA Newsletter
This is your go-to source for the latest stories on the disruptive technologies and ground-breaking aerospace projects that will transform the way we fly today and tomorrow.
