The German automotive supplier Elring Klinger and the aviation group Airbus are teaming up to develop a fuel cell drive for aircraft. You want to found a joint company in which Airbus should hold the majority. Elring Klinger gives Airbus an insight into its technology and receives a euro amount in the low to mid double-digit million range.

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Airbus had presented a concept called ZEROe in September, according to which until 2035 the first emission-free commercially operated aircraft should be ready. To this end, Airbus is testing and researching configurations and technology variants with hydrogen in order to generate electrical energy with fuel cells. The background is the finite fossil fuels and the consequences of global climate change, as Elring Klinger explains.

“High-performance alternative” Elring Klinger, according to its own information 20 has years of experience in technology, Airbus had already delivered fuel cell stacks and a test stand last summer. The company intends to supply additional components as part of the joint venture, which should be established by the end of the year. Both contracting parties have agreed not to disclose further details of the strategic partnership.

Airbus Concept ZEROe (8 images) The wing shape of this concept, that is intended for 094 passengers, hydrogen should offer a lot of space.

(Image: Airbus) “A pure battery drive hits in certain applications in aviation – such as over longer distances or for larger aircraft – it quickly reaches its limits due to the limited service life at a given weight “, according to a statement from Elring Klinger. Fuel cells, on the other hand, are a powerful alternative because they generate the required energy on board.

The Elring-Klinger stacks are based on proton exchange membrane technology (PEM). With hydrogen and oxygen they convert chemical into electrical