Innovation
Powering Propeller Planes With Hydrogen to Green the Skies
A startup aims to have fuel-cell plane ready and government-certified to fly by 2024.
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Airlines have a huge carbon footprint and few good options for shrinking it. The big batteries that Tesla Inc. uses to power climate-friendly cars, after all, weigh too much for a passenger plane.
A team of aerospace veterans has another idea: hydrogen. Universal Hydrogen Co., founded by Airbus alumni, and Plug Power Inc. will work together to retrofit a regional airplane with hydrogen fuel cells to power its two propellers. Together the companies aim to have a plane ready and government-certified to fly by 2024.