The aviation division of Rolls-Royce Holdings and Hyundai Motor Company have concluded a partnership agreement according to which the two companies will be uniting their efforts to design a whole fleet of aerial means of transportation. These will range from passenger planes to urban air taxis and occasionally use fuel cell tech for propulsion.
It is Hyundai that will handle the research and development of hydrogen powertrains: the company explains that it already possesses considerable experience in the matter. According to Jaiwon Shin, the leader of Hyundai Motor Group, electric powertrains and hydrogen fuel cells will become the key technology in aviation that will make it carbon-neutral by the mid-21st century. They will also ensure quiet running of the motors and impressive ranges.
In turn, Rolls-Royce will design the aircrafts themselves and handle the certification. Rob Watson, the managing director of the company’s Electrical department, partnering up with the Korean automaker will allow both companies to attain leadership in advanced aerial mobility.
The premiere of the first all-electric aircraft is expected to take place three years from now.