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
-
Svante Launches World's First Commercial Gigafactory for Carbon Capture & Removal Filters
Inside This Issue 🏭 Svante Launches World's First Commercial Gigafactory for Carbon Capture & Removal Filters ✈️ Alder Renewables and Bioénergie AECN Announce Project Avance: Unlocking Sustain...
-
United Bets on Photosynthesis and Limestone to Fuel Net-Zero Flight Path
Inside This Issue ✈️ United Bets on Photosynthesis and Limestone to Fuel Net-Zero Flight Path 📈 EIA: US SAF Production Takes Off as New Capacity Comes Online 🌲 Alder, Bioénergie AECN Unlock SAF Pr...
-
ExxonMobil and Marubeni Power a Cleaner Future with Low-Carbon Ammonia
Inside This Issue 🌏 A Bold Transpacific Alliance: ExxonMobil and Marubeni Power a Cleaner Future with Low-Carbon Ammonia 💰 Aker Carbon Capture Has Decided to Sell Its 20 Percent Ownership Interest...
Company Announcements
-
Project Avance will deploy Alder Renewables' proprietary technology to convert bio-oil currently produced at the Port-Cartier Bioénergie AECN plant which is a joint venture between sawmill operator...
-
Svante Launches World's First Commercial Gigafactory for Carbon Capture & Removal Filters
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Svante Technologies Inc. (Svante), a global leader in carbon capture and removal technologies, has officially completed the commissioning of its new Ce...
-
2025 Biogas Americas Tradeshow Breaks Records
The American Biogas Council (ABC) has announced another record-breaking year for its annual flagship BIOGAS AMERICAS trade event. Held April 28–30, 2025, in Denver, Colorado (CO), the fourth consec...
-
Canada’s Bold Path to Net-Zero: How the Pathways Alliance Is Reshaping Oilsands and Carbon Capture
A united front for a cleaner future In Canada’s race to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, few initiatives carry as much weight—or as much promise—as the $16.5 billion carbon capture and storage (C...