While marginalized at the beginning of the 2010s, alternative fuels or modes of propulsion are increasingly popular. In particular, electricity and hydrogen, which are unanimously considered to be the modes of propulsion of the future. This is what motivates various start-ups to take the plunge and think about the transport of the future. Like Urban Aeronautics, which has just unveiled a prototype and models of the CityHawk, a flying car powered by hydrogen. It’s crazy but when you really think about it it’s anything but unrealistic.
Why the choice of hydrogen?
As you know, hydrogen is complex and expensive to extract in nature. Suddenly, running on hydrogen is much more expensive for the average consumer, compared to electric, the prices of which are only falling as this type of car takes hold in our automotive landscape.
Unfortunately in a more practical way, it is more profitable and viable for a transport company to fly a car on hydrogen, rather than doing it electric.
To soar into the air, a flying machine consumes large amounts of electricity. And to keep the same device in the air, it’s just as energy intensive.
However, electric batteries have already shown their limits when it comes to performing heavy tasks. Including moving a truck or a plane. This is why even in the aeronautical industry, we are now leaning more towards hydrogen as the clean fuel of tomorrow.
Urban Aeronautics CityHawk
Fucked like a DeLorean from Back to the Future and pretty 80ies-style, the CityHawk is a vertical take-off and horizontal landing flying vehicle. Capable of traveling at 270 km / h over a distance of 150 km / h, this vehicle of the future has up to 6 seats (not including the driver’s seat) and will lend itself well to futuristic carpooling.
Israeli-designed, its designer Urban Aeronautics hopes to market 7 million units by 2070.
