Automakers exploring the use of hydrogen-powered cars are usually eco-friendly — not to mention forward-thinking.
Well, who said airlines can't be the same?
On Tuesday, easyJet announced plans to build a hybrid airplane, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which could help save up to 50,000 tons of fuel and accompanying CO2 emissions yearly, as reported by CNN.
Although the airline plans on testing the technology this year, it will likely take longer for the concept to hit the production lines.
"We're banking on a three- to five-year proof of concept, and after that hopefully we can persuade mainstream manufacturers to adopt it in the next five to 15 years," Ian Davies, easyJet's head of engineering, told CNN.
The news network reports that the concept would have hydrogen fuel cells stored in the aircraft hold. The cells would enable the plane to taxi to the runway and back without using any fuel.
The cells would also garner energy when the aircraft brakes on landing, while charging lightweight batteries when the plane is on the ground — removing the need for the aircraft to use jet fuel when taxiing.
As much as four percent of the airline's fuel could be consumed during taxiing, CNN reports, so the possible savings are significant.
"If we can taxi at the end of the runway without starting engines, the whole experience will change at the airport," Davies vowed. "They'll be more quiet, more pollution-free, and more socially responsible as well."
Davies added that the only waste with the hydrogen fuel cell technology would be clean water, but even that could be reused.
"People use water on board for flushing toilets and washing their hands," Davies continued. "We said, 'if there's a way we can utilize (the water byproduct from the cells), let's do it.' We're looking at a no-waste solution."
Altogether, easyJet is aiming to lower its fuel emissions by seven percent by 2020. It's an ambitious goal, but one that the company has already been working toward.
Already, the company has managed to reduce its weight on board in mid-flight by using lighter carpets, lightweight food/beverage carts and a more efficient extraction system.
However, can easyJet pull off a hydrogen-hybrid airplane in the given timeframe?
