itif.org
Climate-Tech to Watch: Hydrogen-
Powered Aviation
HANNAH BOYLES | FEBRUARY 2023
Policymakers and the aviation industry see hydrogen as a promising low-carbon fuel for aviation.
But to make hydrogen-powered flight a reality, they first need to bring down the cost of green
hydrogen and overcome aircraft design challenges.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Commercial aviation accounted for roughly 2.5 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO
2
)
emissions in 2018, and that share is expected to grow. And according to the Energy
Information Administration, the aviation sector is not on track to reach the goal of net-
zero emissions by 2050.
Leaders in the aviation industry see hydrogen as a potential solution to addressing the
climate impacts of short- to medium-haul flights. But it currently costs two to four times
more per megawatt hour (MWh) than conventional jet fuel.
For hydrogen to be viable, costs will have to come down, aircraft manufacturers will need
to make significant modifications to planes and engine designs, and operators will require
new fuel-distribution infrastructure.
Several companies, including Airbus, are working on demonstrator aircraft; however, it is
unclear when these prototypes will be commercially available.
Lawmakers have provided tax credits and research, development, and demonstration
(RD&D) support to lower hydrogen prices. But further RD&D support is needed to bring
hydrogen-powered aircraft to market, understand the climate impacts, and make low-cost,
clean hydrogen widely available.
