The Future of Flight: Electric and Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Are Closer Than You Think

Harnessing electric-powered aircraft may seem like a recent technological initiative—but surprisingly, electric flight dates back to the 1880s. Two French army officers, Renard and Krebs, flew a hydrogen-filled dirigible powered by an 8-horsepower electric motor. Their flight accomplished something no airship had done before: returning to its original launch site.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and electric and solar-powered aircraft have achieved remarkable feats. In 2015, the Solar Impulse completed a trip around the world using only solar power via photovoltaic cells in its wings. Not long after, two electric aircraft—Hugues Duval’s Cr-Cri and Airbus’ E-Fan—crossed the English Channel powered solely by lithium-ion batteries. Airbus, the first to complete the trip, earned a symbolic $1,500 prize from The Daily Mail, a drop in the bucket compared to the millions spent on the project.

These breakthroughs hint at an aviation future that is quieter, cleaner, and greener.

Why It Matters

Some might dismiss these milestones as novelty flights. But for those looking ahead, they represent early steps toward a revolution in air travel.

Benefits of electric aircraft include:

• Near-zero carbon emissions
• Lower operating and maintenance costs
• Minimal noise pollution (inside and outside the cabin)
• Smoother, quieter engine performance with fewer vibrations
• No need for reduction gears due to low engine RPMs

Elon Musk has famously envisioned a future of personal electric aircraft that could eventually rival the automobile in everyday transportation.

Real-World Applications Today

Canada’s Harbour Air completed the first successful flight of a fully electric commercial aircraft and plans to convert its entire fleet of seaplanes to electric. These short-hop flights between Vancouver and nearby resorts are ideal for electrification, offering fuel savings, zero emissions, and sharply reduced maintenance.

Similarly, the Pipistrel Alpha Electro—a two-seat electric training aircraft—has already received FAA certification. And Rolls-Royce’s all-electric Spirit of Innovation recently reached a record-breaking 387.4 mph.

Rolls-Royce’s involvement builds on earlier work by Siemens, whose electric aircraft division they acquired in 2019. Siemens had developed a lightweight electric engine delivering 350 horsepower at just over 100 pounds–an innovation that helped pave the way for current high-performance electric propulsion systems.

Hydrogen: The Other Clean Aviation Fuel

While battery-electric aircraft are ideal for short distances, hydrogen-powered planes offer a solution for longer-haul travel.

ZeroAvia completed the world’s first hydrogen-electric flight of a commercial-scale aircraft in 2020. Airbus is betting big on hydrogen, aiming to launch a zero-emission hydrogen aircraft by 2035.

Hydrogen aviation offers:

• Water vapor as the only in-flight emission
• Faster refueling than electric charging
• Longer range potential than battery-powered aircraft

Major Industry Players Are All In

Boeing partnered with the University of Cambridge as early as 2014 to develop a hybrid propulsion system—much like an electric car—where fossil fuel gets the plane airborne and electric keeps it cruising.

Airbus didn’t stop at crossing the Channel. The company continues to develop electric and hybrid-electric aircraft with a commercial goal set for mid-century.

NASA’s X-57 Maxwell project, though recently sunset, pushed the envelope on electric propulsion. Meanwhile, startups like Eviation (makers of the nine-passenger electric Alice aircraft) and major airlines like United and easyJet are actively investing in electric and hydrogen-powered flight.

The Full Picture: Is Green Really Green?

Electric aircraft have no tailpipe emissions, but electricity still comes from a power grid that’s not fully green. Moreover, battery manufacturing—especially lithium extraction—has environmental downsides, and much of it currently occurs in coal-heavy countries like China.

However, this is changing. Renewable energy is steadily gaining grid share, and battery tech is advancing toward more sustainable and efficient methods. Green hydrogen (produced from water via electrolysis using renewable power) could eliminate the need for fossil fuels altogether in aviation.

The Final Word: Necessity

History has shown us that barriers in aviation are meant to be broken. From the Wright Flyer to the Concorde took just 66 years. The shift from piston engines to jets happened in a few decades. Now, it’s time for another leap.

Whether powered by batteries, hydrogen, or hybrid systems, the next generation of aircraft promises to be quieter, cleaner, and crucially—possible. The environmental stakes are too high to ignore. It’s not just a cool innovation. It’s a necessary one.