ZEROe
Developing our first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft
The next frontier in aviation
ALTERNATIVE PROPULSION
Airbus’ ambition is to bring a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market. 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.
Technology and Testing
Airbus is meeting a number of technology and testing milestones as it pursues its ambition of bringing a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market.
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.
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.
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 airports, airlines, and hydrogen producers and distributors around the world to develop the ecosystem necessary for operating hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Discover Airbus' ZEROe Series
The Countdown to ZEROe: Episode 1: Tanks
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Airbus Aerostack
Fuel cell stacks: The heart of pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation
The latest in ZEROe
In the spotlight
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Stories InnovationDeveloping 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 ZEROe entry into service in 2035. -
Press releases InnovationAirbus partners with Avolon to explore future of hydrogen aviation
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Press releases Innovation
Airbus welcomes London Gatwick to global hydrogen hub network
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Press releases CompanyAirbus, Aena, Air Nostrum, Iberia, Exolum and Repsol join forces to study the…
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Press releases InnovationAirbus takes superconductivity research for hydrogen-powered aircraft a step further
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Airbus NOVA Newsletter
Your go-to source for the latest stories on disruptive technologies and ground-breaking aerospace projects that will transform the way we fly.
