Airbus is putting the brakes on its zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft project, on account of technical challenges and slower adoption of the technology, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The company, which previously targeted to launch the aircraft by 2035, spent more than $1.7B on the project, sources told WSJ. Airbus has since cut the project's budget by a quarter and reallocated staff, pushing its timeline by as much as a decade.
Project challenges include reconfiguring engines to run on a different fuel, storing hydrogen in liquid form at -423°F, and requiring a new supply chain for the fuel. Airbus has been exploring using fuel cells, but the additional weight and limited electricity generation would lead to fewer seats and a narrower range for the aircraft.
The company said delaying the project would give it more time to fine-tune the technology. "Our destination is not changing," said Bruno Fichefeux, its head of future programs. "To get there, we need to adjust to reality."
In an earnings call in February, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said pushing the project's timeline would provide time to further develop the performance of fuel cell propulsion and liquid hydrogen system technologies.
Many companies have been scaling back their green initiatives, and broader enthusiasm for hydrogen is fading. Oil giant BP, which is pivoting back to fossil fuels, and Finland's Neste recently pulled plans for new hydrogen plants.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Daily decarbonization data and news delivered to your inbox
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Companies
Latest issues
-
Google's Illinois Deal Just Gave CCS Its First Real Market
Inside This Issue 💨 Google's Illinois Deal Just Gave CCS Its First Real Market 🚁 Hydrogen-Powered Z1 UAS Enters U.S. Army Acquisition Pipeline ♻️ Waga’s Tech Opens Doors For Small-Scale Landfill R...
-
725K Tons of CO2, No Pipeline Needed. Here's How.
Inside This Issue 🌽 Lapis Is Taking Ethanol CCS Off The Pipeline ✈️ Axens Signs Memorandum Of Understanding With Airbus On SAF Development ⚗️ Renewable-Powered Technology Converts Carbon Dioxide I...
-
Sustaera's 3rd-Gen DAC Could Crack the $100/Ton Barrier
Inside This Issue 🧪 Sustaera's 3rd-Gen DAC Could Crack The $100/Ton Barrier ⚠️ Middle East Conflict Threatens To Derail The Region's Carbon Capture Boom 🌿 Svante And Integrated Packaging Company A...
Company Announcements
-
Cura and Captura Collaborate to Advance Bipolar Membrane Technology for Low-Carbon Cement Production
Calgary, Alberta and Pasadena, California — CURA Climate Inc. (“CURA”), a Canadian climate technology company electrifying cement production, today announced a strategic collaboration with Captura,...
-
Verde Secures Key Engineered Biochar Supply And Carbon Credit Agreement With Biochar Solutions LLC
Agreement provides for scalable U.S. supply of biochar for use in Verde's proprietary, environmentally friendly road construction products, joint patent development and carbon credit revenue sharin...
-
Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe's largest renewable energy investors, has announced a new $60 million capital commitment to nature-based solutions platform Cultivo, significantly scaling u...
-
R2G2(TM) Exploration Model Applied to the 300-km Cobequid-Chedabucto Structural Corridor Discovery Highlights — West-Advocate Natural Hydrogen Project Hole 1 DDH-26-01 completed as part of QIMC'...