New zero-emission plane in development

As environmental activists like Greta Thunberg encourage people to stop flying, airlines have begun looking at ways to reduce their carbon emissions. Now, designer Joe Doucet from New York, has mock-up plans for his zero-emission passenger plane, the Her0 Zero Emissions Passenger Plane.

This concept aircraft was inspired by Doucet’s frequent business travel, according to CNN.

The plane is a completely different shape to current aircraft. Rather than a long fuselage with the wings located in the middle, it is shaped like a T, with the wings coming out behind the body of the craft. The plane is supported by electric-powered propellers found along the rear. These provide thrust while the long wings provide the plane with lift.

The trade-off passengers would have to contend with would be a slower flight time, as the electric engines don’t match the current ones when it comes to power.

While only a concept design, the Her0 Zero joins a host of plans to create planes which enable travel to continue without causing the same harm as current models, this includes major aircraft manufacturers like Airbus.

‘If you can make this something that is desirable, something that makes people question why it’s not there, you have a better chance of forcing the hand of the industry to respond to consumer demand,’ Doucet said.