Unlike battery electric vehicles (or “BEVs”) that have been widely adopted across a myriad of industries and vehicle spaces in recent years, hydrogen-powered EVs have yet to really catch on. Exorbitant costs and a general lack of infrastructure have largely prevented hydrogen-fueled vehicles from achieving mainstream success. Recognizing the potential that hydrogen-fed vehicles possess, Swiss startup Sirius Aviation is now harnessing the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in order to deliver the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered business jet with VTOL capabilities.
Dubbed simply the Sirius Business Jet, this hydrogen-powered aircraft manages to push the aviaiton envelop in just about every way possible. With a 1,150-mile range, a 323-mph flight speed, the ability to climb to altitudes of up to 30,000’, space for three passengers, and the power to perform vertical takeoffs and landings, this hydrogen-powered aircraft offers the best of both airplanes and helicopters in a single eco-friendly package. In order to bring this ambitious, game-changing aircraft to life, Sirius called on a myriad industry leaders from the aerospace, Formula 1, and automotive sectors including the BMW Group’s DesignWorks, the Sauber Group, Alfleth Engineering, the ALD Group, and Leonardo Aerostructures.
Pairing an efficient fuel cell stack with an advanced design and storage setup, this watershed aircraft is kicked along by a collection of 28 hydrogen-electric ducted fans that comprise the jet’s propulsion system — 8 mounted on the jet’s front canard and 20 additional fans lining the aircraft’s wings. On top of producing 95% less noise than a standard helicopter, this hydrogen jet’s powertrain can also be fully refueled at a cost of just $500. What’s more, if the jet loses power mid-flight, it can still safely get its passengers onto the ground thanks to the implementation of an automatically-deploying emergency parachute system.
While still in the latter stages of its development cycle, the Sirius Aviation Hydrogen-Powered Business Jet is scheduled to receive certification and ultimately enter service within the next year or so.
