Rolls-Royce and easyJet to develop hydrogen combustion engine technology

The partnership aims to demonstrate that hydrogen has the potential to power a range of aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards.

Rolls-Royce brings its expertise in engine development and combustion systems, while easyJet – which is directly investing in the test programme - will contribute its operational knowledge and experience.

In a statement, Grazia Vittadini, chief technology and strategy officer, Rolls-Royce, said: “H2ZERO is a big step forward for Rolls-Royce and we are excited to be working with a partner that shares a desire to innovate and find new answers to aviation’s biggest challenges. We at Rolls-Royce want to be ready to pioneer sustainability with whatever the future requires, be it hydrogen, electric power, sustainable aviation fuel, or gas turbine efficiency. This agreement further inspires us to move forward.”

Through H2ZERO, the companies will support an early concept ground test of a Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine in the UK later this year, followed by a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine at a location that is yet to be decided. The programme will build on initial hydrogen combustion and fuel system rig tests that Rolls-Royce is undertaking with Cranfield and Loughborough universities.