The landscape of urban air mobility took a significant leap forward at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where South Korea’s Sambo Motors Group unveiled the HAM III-2, the world’s first hybrid-powered air taxi.
Reducing emissions from commercial aircraft is a top priority for the aviation industry. Worldwide, carbon dioxide emissions from jet engines are responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (private aircraft contribute a further 1%). While this is less than the emissions from cars and trucks, which account for 12% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it is still significant enough to require urgent action. Airbus and Toshiba believe they have a potential answer to the problem, and their collaboration could bring about transformative changes to aviation.
As the world moves towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, the aviation industry is faced with the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint. With the industry responsible for around 2% of global carbon emissions, finding a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels is crucial. Hydrogen is one potential solution that has been gaining attention in recent years. In this article, we will explore the role of hydrogen as a fuel for aviation and the potential benefits and challenges it presents.
Airbus and CFM International have agreed to jointly produce a hydrogen propulsion technology demonstrator for testing the very first A380, production serial MSN001. The aim of the project is to test the technology for ZeroE aircraft, initially on the ground and then in flight. The first ZeroE aircraft are scheduled to enter service by 2035.
The hydrogen-powered device is a hybrid of a plane and a rocket, making air transport both more sustainable and faster.
When will we be able to board a plane with a clear conscience about the environmental impact of our journey? Aviation is responsible for 2.8% of global carbon emissions. According to the CNN article, many airlines have already vowed to create a future of carbon-neutral aviation, and the first electric planes have already been built, if only in the short term.
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