![H2FLY completes world's first piloted flight of a liquid hydrogen powered electric aircraft [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Electric-aircraft-H2FLY.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
H2FLY completes world’s first piloted flight of a liquid hydrogen powered electric aircraft [Video]
Zero emission aircraft powertrain developer H2FLY is celebrating a major milestone in what it is hailing as a world’s first. The company has successfully piloted a flight of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen rather than gas, opening a new door of opportunity for zero-emissions long distance flights.
H2FLY is a Stuttgart, Germany-based company that specializes in the development of hydrogen electric aviation technology – more specifically, liquid hydrogen – with hopes of becoming one of the first to deliver a qualified propulsion system to market. It has the support of Joby Aviation, an eVTOL developer we often cover than acquired H2FLY in 2021.
Today’s news may be a world’s first, but H2FLY has already delivered several firsts compared to other zero-emission aviation companies. For instance, its HY4 hydrogen electric aircraft completed its maiden flight all the way back in 2016 and broke a world record in 2022 when it soared above 7,000 feet in the sky during a 77-mile journey across Germany.
Thanks to nearly a decade of experience, H2FLY has garnered the financial support of multiple German ministries as well as Project HEAVEN – a consortium of aviation specialists including the German Aerospace Center supported by the EU government to demonstrate the feasibility of liquid, cryogenic hydrogen use in aircraft.
Following its most recent voyage with a pilot, H2FLY has offered a potentially groundbreaking demonstration that enables longer range and higher payloads.
H2FLY demonstrates viability of hydrogen electric aircraft
The hydrogen powertrain developer shared details of its latest aerial voyage test campaign which included four separate flights in the HY4 demonstrator electric aircraft, which was piloted by a human inside for the first time ever.
Rather than use pressurized gaseous hydrogen storage (GH2) like the past, the HY4 electric aicraft was powered by cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen (LH2), enabling significantly lighter tank weight and volume. H2FLY shared that as a result, its hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system will be able to double the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft for instance, from 750 km (466 miles) to 1,500 km (932 miles). H2FLY cofounder Professor Josef Kallo spoke to the breakthrough:
This achievement marks a watershed moment in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the viability of liquid hydrogen to support medium and long-range emissions-free flight. We are now looking ahead to scaling up our technology for regional aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of decarbonizing commercial aviation.
Looking ahead, H2FLY will continue its progress toward commercialization alongside the development of its new H2F-175 fuel cell systems which are expected to propel aircraft to full power range at altitudes up to 27,000 feet. The company’s future work will emerge from its new Hydrogen Aviation Center at Stuttgart Airport, set to open next year.
Here is some raw footage of the HY4 hydrogen electric aircraft being piloted in Slovenia.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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