Airbus postpones development of new hydrogen-powered plane Environmental groups argue hydrogen would still come at an environmental cost because of the energy used to produce it.
Airbus officials have acknowledged the plan to produce a hydrogen-powered plane - most likely a turboprop - for 100 people was only ever expected to make a marginal contribution to the sector’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050, but argued it would pave the way for greater adoption in future.
The aviation industry is instead relying mainly on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its environmental efforts, while arguing that supplies from energy firms remain scarce.
Airbus‘ Faury has consistently maintained, however, that hydrogen will work its way into the aviation ecosystem in some form in coming decades and that Europe should take a lead.
Some environmental groups argue hydrogen would still come at an environmental cost because of the energy used to produce it.
