Just like cars have moved from old gas-powered engines to electric battery power to increase sustainability and reduce emissions, other forms of transportation are starting to turn to sustainable, clean power sources. The next step after cars seems to be aircraft, based on the global aviation industry’s goal to reach zero carbon emission by 2050. But who’s leading the march for zero-emission aircraft development? Well-known automaker Hyundai Motor Group and their new partner, Rolls-Royce Holdings.
Earlier this month, the two companies announced a partnership to create hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft by 2025. But how will this happen, and what could it mean for the future of Hyundai Motor Group and Hyundai dealerships worldwide?
The Beginning of Aircraft Mobility Market Changes
To reach the global aviation industry’s goal of zero-emission aircraft, research in alternative fuel sources is being conducted as we speak by professionals in the air mobility market. One of these alternative fuel sources is hydrogen fuel cells, which have been used by automotive manufacturers in the past when developing electric vehicle technology. That’s where Hyundai and Rolls-Royce come in -Hyundai is familiar with electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of their electric car manufacturing and Regional Air Mobility platform. Rolls-Royce has aviation experience and essential certifications that would allow for much quicker sustainable power development for the air mobility market.
Together, these companies intend to create hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems that will reduce emissions while providing long-range travel. The goal, according to the announcement, is to have a demonstration of an aircraft powered by this propulsion system by 2025. In addition to the propulsion system, the companies also want to introduce storage systems and infrastructure changes to the air mobility market.
Hyundai’s Future Plans
Creating a zero-emission aircraft isn’t the only benefit that Hyundai stands to get from this partnership. Hyundai Motor Group has a US-based air mobility unit called Supernal that they intend to use to break into aviation now that they’ve mastered automobiles.
While the planned partnership with Rolls-Royce Holdings is intended to end in 2025 -if they don’t decide to extend their goals -Hyundai wants to start flying customers with Supernal by 2028. In the 2030s, Hyundai wants to be able to provide long-distance flights, too.
This is an ambitious plan that can be significantly helped by learning from the aviation experience of Rolls-Royce Holdings. Could this be the beginning of a journey for Hyundai that will end with being able to schedule a flight from your local Hyundai dealership? Only time will tell.
It feels like the way of the future is coming today, with new ways of powering cars and aircraft being discovered and implemented. It will still take some time to see it all come to fruition, but steps are being taken day by day that will bring us these new changes very soon.
Keep an ear out for more news about the partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and Rolls-Royce Holdings coming soon!
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