Why Hydrogen - Stralis Aircraft

The aviation sector must decarbonise by 2050

Flying is the most carbon-intensive mode of transport. Yet no practical and scalable emission-free options exist to decarbonise by 2050 (IATA Net Zero). Airlines are also extremely cost-sensitive, with an average profit margin of only 2.7% in 2023.

Most major airline roadmaps only focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which is a costly and partial solution. Other hard-to-abate sectors where batteries aren't effective urgently need alternatives. Current alternate flight solutions, such as batteries and SAF, compromise on emissions, payload, range, and cost.

SAF is expensive at approximately 4-8x the cost of fossil fuel. It emits tailpipe carbon dioxide, NOx, sulphates, and particulates (soot). This presents significant challenges related to scale and carbon capture.

Even with the latest battery breakthrough of 500Wh/kg the range is too short. Due to cycle life limitations, replacement costs are high. Turnaround times are too long due to slow charging. Battery hybrid systems are complex, with high costs and minimal emission reduction.

Stralis hydrogen-electric propulsion (HEP) will be the lowest cost emission-free option

Cost per Available Seat Kilometer (CASK) Comparison in 2035. Battery vs. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) vs. JetA vs. Hydrogen Electric.

Hydrogen-electric operating costs are reduced due to savings on engine maintenance and fuel.

Low maintenance cost

An estimated 60% reduction in engine maintenance costs compared to turbines.

Fuel savings

Low fuel costs compared to jet fuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) used in turbine engines.

Useful range

Unlike battery electric, HEP delivers ranges suitable for commercial, regional routes.

Local fuel production

Green hydrogen can be produced onsite and locally at a range of scales.

SA-1 Operating Cost Comparison in 2035 Dash8 Q300 vs. Stralis SA-1-HE 50 seat aircraft, 2,000 km flight.

Hydrogen-electric outperforms battery and fossil fuel aircraft on payload range

Our hydrogen-electric propulsion systems can be used for aircraft battery replacement, retrofit airframes, and new clean sheet designs. We integrate our proprietary fuel cell system, liquid hydrogen tanks and electric motors into aircraft, starting with an iconic Bonanza A36-HE, our technology demonstrator, then scaling up to the Beech 1900D-HE and SA-1-HE. Read more about our solutions.

Bonanza is the right-scale aircraft for rapid and cost-efficient development, flight testing and certification. The Beech 1900D-HE is a 15-seat, best-in-class Part 23 aircraft uniquely suited to hydrogen-electric. Our SA-1-HE concept is a new 50-seat design optimised for manufacture and revenue at scale, primed to disrupt single-aisle routes.

Competing hydrogen-electric developers use low-temperature fuel cells, which are mature but too heavy, limiting range and payload capabilities.

Bonanza A36-HE Retrofit Payload Range. Current Hydrogen-Electric vs. Battery vs. Fossil Fuel vs. Stralis Hydrogen-Electric

The Ion Pair breakthrough for fuel cells will do for aviation what the Li-Ion battery did for electric cars

Tesla used lithium-ion battery cells to create a state-of-the-art car battery pack. The next-generation high-temperature PEM fuel cell (HTPEM) will unlock useful range and system life for hydrogen-electric aircraft, just as the Lithium-Ion battery did for electric cars. Stralis is utilising HTPEM to develop the world’s lightest fuel cell system for aircraft.

High temperatures have enabled us to design our patent-pending fuel cell technology. Our turbocharged, next-generation fuel cell system is six times lighter than the current state of the art. Our hydrogen-electric aircraft will travel ten times further than battery-electric alternatives and will be 50% cheaper to operate than fossil fuel-powered aircraft.

While our technology is optimised for commercial aircraft, Stralis has developed a sustainable, economical, and scalable solution that can also power drones to fly anywhere on the planet on a single tank of fuel or operate mining trucks in harsh environments.

The Patent Pending Stralis high-temperature fuel cell system is 6x lighter than current-generation fuel cells with significantly reduced drag and long life.

Propelling hydrogen-electric aircraft and air travel forward.

The hydrogen value chain is advancing globally, and green hydrogen can now be produced onsite and locally at a range of scales. The commitment of flight partners and airline LOIs indicates the industry trend and demand. Stralis has letters of intent worth $263M from 11 airlines across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the USA, and Europe.

Stralis is already testing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems on our aircraft. Our team has deep experience in fast-moving electric aircraft startups like Google X, Heart Aerospace, Archer, and Beta, and we have developed and certified conventional aircraft at Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Gulfstream.

Meet our team ›