On Tuesday easyJet announced plans to trial the use of hydrogen fuel cells on their planes.
The concept, which could convert their entire fleet of ordinary planes into hybrids without having to purchase new aircraft, could save a potential 50,000 tons of fuel and corresponding CO2 emissions each year.
The concept relies on hydrogen fuel cells which would be stored in the aircraft hold, and would allow a plane to taxi to and from the runway without using any fuel.
The cells would capture energy from the aircraft braking on landing, and would charge lightweight batteries when the plane is on the ground, negating the aircraft's need to use jet fuel when taxiing.
As 4% of the airline's fuel is consumed during taxiing, that comes out as a considerable saving.
Ian Davies, EasyJet's head of engineering, says the short-haul, budget carrier is particularly well-placed to trial this technology.
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