Airbus and the zero-emission fuel cell: are clean flights finally coming?
In January 2021, Airbus will put its first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell into operation. This is an important step towards the development of a hydrogen-powered aircraft. By opening a development centre for hydrogen technologies in Lower Saxony, Airbus is strengthening its presence in Germany and underlining its ambitions in the field of climate-neutral aviation.
Air transport is currently the most climate-damaging form of transport. With the new fuel cell, Airbus could make a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of aviation. But how realistic is this goal and what price do we have to pay for it?
A comparison with low emission zones in cities can shed light on some interesting aspects. Low emission zones were introduced to improve air quality in cities and protect the health of the population. They have proven to be an effective instrument for reducing pollutant emissions.
However, environmental zones have also been criticised. They are often perceived as discriminatory because they exclude people with older, more polluting cars. They can also shift traffic to other areas, increasing emissions elsewhere.
Similar challenges could arise when switching to hydrogen-powered aircraft. The technology is expensive and its use could increase the cost of air travel. This could lead to flying once again becoming a luxury good that is only affordable for the privileged.
In addition, it is still unclear how the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen supply is to be built and financed. The production of green hydrogen is energy-intensive and could lead to a shift in emissions, similar to environmental zones.
How is Airbus dealing with these challenges? It is clear that the development of climate-neutral flight technologies is an important step towards a more sustainable future. However, it is also clear that we not only need technological innovations to tackle the climate crisis, but also political measures and social change.