Beyond Aero is making a hydrogen-powered jet launching in 2030
- Automobile Featured
Arushi Sakhuja- 4 minutes read
Sustainability has become a prominent topic across various industries, evolving significantly from its initial perception. While some sectors may be accused of greenwashing, there are areas where sustainability is genuinely thriving. For instance, while vehicles like cars and yachts have adopted more sustainable technologies such as electric vehicles and low-emission engines, the aviation industry has lagged behind. However, a game-changing announcement has come from Beyond Aero, which is developing a hydrogen-powered jet named “One.” This jet is a sustainable alternative for fuel and emissions in the current landscape.
According to the company’s website, The French start-up has secured $20 million in funding to develop its One aircraft, which aims to be the first electric business jet powered by hydrogen propulsion on the market. Beyond Aero focuses on creating a sustainability-centered private and business jet set to launch in 2030. The design of the jet is inspired by the tranquillity of water. Mathis Cosson, the Head of Design and Experiences at Beyond Aero, described it as “emerging from the essence of the water’s surface, with a design that embodies an intricate dance with the undulating waves and a study in the art of streamlined elegance.”
The aircraft will accommodate between six and eight passengers and have a range of up to 800 nautical miles. Powered by fuel cells, the jet produces water as a byproduct, which allows it to achieve a range up to five times greater than that of battery-powered aircraft. Since hydrogen fuel cells do not burn fuel or produce greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants when in use, they are often considered a clean alternative to traditional fossil fuel technologies.
However, with every pro comes a pitfall. One of the biggest challenges facing the widespread adoption of hydrogen in air travel is the weight of current storage solutions. Although hydrogen has a higher energy density than conventional fuels like kerosene, existing storage methods are heavy. To address this, Beyond Aero has partnered with Formula One and the broader automobile industry to gain insights into hydrogen powertrains used in cars and boats. This collaboration aims to redesign the aircraft’s architecture around the propulsion system to optimize the integration of tanks and batteries. 
Image: Beyond Aero
