Articles tagged with "sustainable-aviation"
Vertical Aerospace Brings Valo to New York, Outlining Plans for Electric Air Taxi Routes - CleanTechnica
Vertical Aerospace has introduced its electric aircraft, Valo, to the U.S. market with a debut event in New York City, marking a significant step toward launching commercial electric air taxis. Valo is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph with zero emissions and is engineered to meet stringent airliner safety standards. The aircraft features a premium cabin with four seats, panoramic windows, and ample luggage space, with plans to expand to six seats to improve economics and reduce fares. Certification is targeted for 2028, enabling entry into service globally, including with partners like American Airlines. In collaboration with Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure, Vertical Aerospace is developing electric air taxi routes in and out of Manhattan to drastically reduce travel times—for example, cutting multi-hour road journeys from JFK Airport to Manhattan down to minutes. These routes leverage Bristow’s helicopter transport expertise and Skyports’ existing urban skyport infrastructure, including Manhattan’s Downtown Skyport. Proposed use cases include airport
energyelectric-aircraftvertical-aerospaceair-mobilityclean-transportationelectric-air-taxisustainable-aviationNew Zealand tests zero-emission electric plane with 250 mile-range
Air New Zealand and US-based BETA Technologies have initiated a four-month technical demonstrator program in New Zealand to test the all-electric, zero-emission BETA ALIA CX300 cargo aircraft. The program involves flights starting from Hamilton and continuing between Wellington and Blenheim, including challenging routes across Cook Strait. These tests aim to collect operational and environmental data to assess the aircraft’s performance in real-world regional air travel conditions. The aircraft, designed for conventional take-off and landing, can fly up to approximately 398 kilometers (247 miles) and carry two crew members plus cargo, with recharging supported by mobile 65kW chargers enabling quick turnarounds. This collaborative effort includes Air New Zealand, BETA Technologies, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and airport partners, with pilots conducting flights under various conditions to gather data for global applications. The initiative also addresses regulatory challenges posed by emerging aviation technologies, with the CAA working to establish safe integration pathways. The aircraft will remain in New Zealand
energyelectric-aircraftzero-emissionbattery-electricsustainable-aviationrenewable-energyaviation-technologyBoeing has a carbon emissions problem. Startup Charm Industrial is cleaning up.
Boeing has partnered with startup Charm Industrial to remove 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of efforts to address the aviation sector’s persistent carbon emissions problem. Charm Industrial converts agricultural and forestry waste into “bio-oil” through a heating process, then injects this carbon-rich substance underground, including into depleted oil wells, effectively sequestering the carbon. This method allows Charm to generate and sell carbon removal credits to companies like Boeing, providing an alternative to costly sustainable aviation fuels. The aviation industry has struggled to reduce emissions directly and is projected to spend at least $60 billion on carbon offsets by 2050 to achieve net-zero goals. Charm’s approach offers a potentially more cost-effective solution, although the financial details of the Boeing deal were not disclosed. Previously, Charm sold 112,000 carbon removal credits to Frontier for $53 million, averaging about $470 per metric ton, but aims to reduce this cost to approximately $50 per metric ton. Additionally,
energycarbon-capturecarbon-emissionsbio-oilcarbon-removalsustainable-aviationclimate-technology7,000-gallon: US' largest electric aircraft refueler unveiled
Missouri-based Skymark Refuelers has unveiled the largest electric aircraft refueler in the United States, a 7,000-gallon pure electric vehicle launched at NBAA-BACE 2025 and delivered to Clay Lacy Aviation’s flagship FBO at Van Nuys Airport, California. Powered by a 240-kW battery, the refueler can dispense two full truckloads of fuel and offers a 20-mile operational range. It features Skymark’s Gen 2 control system with safety cutoffs, thermal management, smart monitoring, and built-in safety systems compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, including NFPA 407 for aircraft fuel servicing. Developed in partnership with World Fuel Services and Clay Lacy Aviation, the refueler aims to advance cleaner, smarter, and zero-emission airport ground fueling infrastructure. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and safety in aviation fueling operations. The vehicle’s control system can warn operators
energyelectric-vehiclebattery-technologysustainable-aviationground-support-equipmentzero-emissionsmart-monitoringFast, accurate drag predictions could lead to more fuel-efficient aircraft
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed AeroMap, a computational framework designed to provide fast and accurate aerodynamic drag predictions during the early stages of aircraft design. AeroMap estimates drag for various wing-body configurations operating near transonic speeds, delivering datasets 10 to 100 times faster than current high-fidelity simulations while maintaining good accuracy. By enabling reliable drag predictions early in the design process, AeroMap can reduce the need for costly wind tunnel testing and large-scale simulations, thereby accelerating design iterations and improving fuel efficiency. AeroMap’s approach is based on a viscous-coupled full potential method that combines a simplified form of the Navier–Stokes equations with a model of the thin boundary layer of air along the aircraft surface. This allows it to capture the main effects of drag without the computational expense of more detailed simulations. Validated against NASA wind tunnel data, AeroMap shows close agreement with experimental results, making it a practical and reliable tool for sustainable aircraft development. The framework addresses limitations of
energyaerospace-engineeringaerodynamic-dragfuel-efficiencyaircraft-designcomputational-modelingsustainable-aviationZero Emission Fuel Cells Will Replace Kerosene In 15 Aircraft
The EU Innovation Fund has awarded a €21.4 million grant to ZeroAvia, a US-UK company, to retrofit 15 Cessna Caravan aircraft with ZA600 hydrogen fuel cell electric engines. This pilot project, part of the ODIN initiative, aims to introduce zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell aircraft into commercial operations within the European Economic Area, specifically across 15 Norwegian airports equipped with hydrogen refueling and storage facilities. The retrofitted aircraft are expected to replace conventional kerosene-fueled turboprops on cargo routes, achieving over a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This marks a significant step toward decarbonizing regional air travel and establishing the world’s largest network of zero-emission commercial flights. The project addresses the “chicken-and-egg” challenge of hydrogen fuel infrastructure, similar to early electric vehicle adoption hurdles, by developing a green hydrogen supply chain supported by the European Commission. ZeroAvia is also advancing larger fuel cell engines designed for aircraft
energyhydrogen-fuel-cellszero-emission-aircraftgreen-hydrogensustainable-aviationEU-Innovation-Fundrenewable-energyNew vibration system cuts aircraft deicing energy use by 80 percent
Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, in collaboration with Airbus, Parker-Meggitt, and partners from the EU’s Clean Aviation program, have developed an innovative aircraft wing deicing system that reduces energy consumption by up to 80 percent. Unlike conventional methods that use energy-intensive hot air from engines to melt ice, this new technology employs sensors and piezoelectric actuators to generate low-frequency vibrations targeted at icy spots on the wings. These micro-vibrations cause the ice to crack and flake off without heating the surface, offering a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution. The system’s effectiveness hinges on continuously identifying the wing’s natural resonance frequency, which varies with flight conditions such as speed, altitude, temperature, humidity, and ice thickness. Algorithms process sensor data in real time to adjust the vibration frequency accordingly. Tested successfully in an icing wind tunnel, the vibration-based deicing method demonstrated reliable ice removal with significantly less energy than traditional thermal systems
energysustainable-aviationaircraft-deicingvibration-technologypiezoelectric-actuatorsenergy-efficiencyaerospace-innovationUS-backed world’s first hydrogen-powered jet could fly at Mach 12
Australia’s Hypersonix Launch Systems is developing the world’s first reusable, hydrogen-fueled hypersonic aircraft capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 12, or twelve times the speed of sound. The Brisbane-based company recently secured $46 million in Series A funding from a mix of Australian sovereign investors—including the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC)—as well as international defense investors such as UK’s High Tor Capital, European defense firm Saab, and Polish group RKKVC. This investment supports Australia’s strategic goal to build sovereign aerospace manufacturing capabilities and advance hypersonic flight technology with a focus on sustainability and national security. At the core of Hypersonix’s technology is the SPARTAN scramjet engine, a fully 3D-printed, air-breathing engine that runs on green hydrogen instead of kerosene, enabling zero-carbon emissions and reusable, low-maintenance hypersonic flight. Founded in 2019 by former
energyhydrogen-fuelhypersonic-aircraftaerospace-manufacturingsustainable-aviationdefense-technologyadvanced-propulsionSilent wings: Top 10 electric planes promising fast, quiet journeys
The article "Silent wings: Top 10 electric planes promising fast, quiet journeys" highlights the significant advancements in electric aviation as of 2025, showcasing how electric aircraft are transitioning from experimental prototypes to production-ready models. Driven by improvements in battery technology, lightweight materials, and hybrid propulsion, these aircraft offer cleaner, quieter, and more efficient flight options. The article profiles leading electric planes that exemplify this shift, including the Pipistrel Velis Electro—the world’s first type-certified electric aircraft used primarily for flight training with zero emissions and ultra-quiet operation. Another key model is the Eviation Alice, an all-electric passenger plane designed for regional travel with a nine-passenger capacity and a cruise speed of 253 mph, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency. Other notable aircraft include NASA’s X-57 Maxwell, which, although its program ended in 2024, contributed valuable research on distributed electric propulsion aimed at drastically improving cruise efficiency. Sweden’s Heart Aerospace ES-30 offers a hybrid-electric solution for
energyelectric-aircraftaviation-technologybattery-technologyhybrid-propulsionsustainable-aviationlightweight-materialsAirbus backs 3D-printed heat exchanger to cool hydrogen-electric jets
Airbus is advancing its hydrogen-electric aviation efforts through collaboration with Conflux Technology, which is developing a next-generation 3D-printed heat exchanger critical for thermal management in megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell systems. This lightweight, high-performance component, created using additive manufacturing and validated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, is designed to regulate the substantial heat generated by hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring safe and efficient operation of Airbus’ ZEROe hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. The ZEROe program aims to produce the first zero-emission commercial aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells, targeting entry into service by 2035, with water vapor as the only emission. Despite technological progress, including successful testing of a 1.2-megawatt fuel cell engine and advancements in liquid hydrogen storage, the ZEROe program has faced delays, pushing the timeline back by 5 to 10 years and reducing its budget by 25%. These setbacks stem from the complexity of developing the propulsion technology and establishing a global
energyhydrogen-fuel-cells3D-printingaerospacethermal-managementadditive-manufacturingsustainable-aviationAstro Mechanica’s supersonic engine design gets funding boost
Astro Mechanica, a San Francisco-based aerospace company, has received new funding from United Airlines Ventures (UAV) to advance its innovative supersonic engine design named Duality. This engine employs a hybrid electric architecture that optimizes performance across a wide range of flight speeds, from takeoff to speeds exceeding Mach 3. Duality’s adaptive propulsion system can transition between operating modes—turbofan at slower speeds, turbojet near supersonic speeds, and ramjet at very high supersonic speeds—enabling efficient and flexible supersonic flight. The design aims to address the key economic challenge of fuel efficiency in supersonic travel and has potential applications in national defense, orbital launch, and long-range cargo delivery. Astro Mechanica’s goal is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel more accessible, sustainable, and flexible, with ambitions to develop the world’s first supersonic aircraft capable of transpacific flights. Beyond building its own aircraft,
energyhybrid-electric-enginesupersonic-flightaerospace-technologypropulsion-systemsustainable-aviationorbital-launchElectra’s hybrid-electric aircraft nails sub-150-foot takeoff, landing
Electra, in collaboration with Surf Air Mobility and Virginia Tech, has successfully demonstrated its hybrid-electric aircraft’s ability to take off and land within 150 feet, showcasing ultra-short takeoff and landing (USTOL) capabilities. These tests took place on various small, non-traditional runways including paved surfaces and grass fields at Virginia Tech facilities. The technology demonstrator, EL2, highlights Electra’s vision for “Direct Aviation,” which aims to operate from “Ultra Short Access Points” such as small airstrips, campuses, or austere environments, bypassing the need for conventional runways and major airports. Electra’s upcoming nine-passenger EL9 aircraft, expected to enter commercial service in 2029, will incorporate this USTOL technology using blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion. Surf Air Mobility plans to integrate the EL9 into its commuter network, emphasizing operational flexibility, lower costs, faster turnaround, and easier deployment compared to traditional aircraft. The approach targets underserved regional markets by enabling
energyhybrid-electric-aircraftaviation-technologyshort-takeoff-and-landingelectric-propulsionElectra-aircraftsustainable-aviationEurope’s first hydrogen hypersonic jet aims to fly at Mach 5 speed
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the Invictus research program in partnership with UK-based Frazer-Nash, aiming to develop Europe’s first hydrogen-fueled hypersonic jet capable of flying at Mach 5 (3,836 mph). This fully reusable experimental vehicle will utilize a precooled air-breathing propulsion system, building on technology from ESA’s previous SABRE engine studies led by Reaction Engines Ltd. The program, funded through ESA’s General Support Technology Program (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE), seeks to overcome challenges such as extreme heat from shock and friction at hypersonic speeds, enabling horizontal takeoff and sustained flight at Mach 5. The consortium also includes Spirit Aero Systems and Cranfield University, with a preliminary full flight system design targeted within 12 months. Invictus aims to provide a testbed for future hypersonic technologies relevant to aerospace, defense, and space access, marking a significant step toward reusable spaceplanes that can take
energyhydrogen-propulsionhypersonic-technologyaerospace-engineeringESAsustainable-aviationadvanced-materialsWorld-first aerospace-grade recycled aluminum procured from jet junk
Constellium, a French-based aluminum manufacturer, has achieved a world-first by producing aerospace-grade aluminum ingots made entirely from recycled end-of-life aircraft. Unveiled at the 55th Paris Air Show in June 2025, this breakthrough was developed in collaboration with TARMAC Aerosave and Airbus, demonstrating that high-performance aluminum alloys can be fully recycled without compromising structural integrity or performance. The recycled aluminum meets the stringent mechanical and metallurgical standards required for next-generation aircraft manufacturing, validating the feasibility of a circular economy model in aviation metals. TARMAC Aerosave, specializing in eco-friendly aircraft dismantling and recycling, supplies the raw material and boasts a recycling rate exceeding 92 percent. The partnership with Constellium and Airbus aligns with global decarbonization goals, as recycling aluminum consumes only 5 percent of the energy needed for primary production and cuts carbon emissions by 95 percent. Alongside the recycled ingot, Constellium showcased its Airware aluminum-lithium alloy
materialsrecycled-aluminumaerospace-grade-alloyssustainable-aviationcircular-economyaluminum-lithium-alloysaircraft-recycling