Zero-emission means for APUS not only that pure water-vapor is the sole emission of the hydrogen fueled power train, but also that considerably noise reduction is achievable. To reach this ambitious goal, APUS has partnered with industry leaders like PowerCell (Hydrogen Fuel Cell), Fraunhofer (High-Voltage applications), COTESA (hydrogen storage solutions) HEGGEMANN (hydrogen supply and safety systems) and Rolls-Royce (aircraft propulsion).
The APUS i-2 is a four-seater aircraft accommodating one pilot and three passengers. When fully fueled the aircraft has a payload of 400 kg; Mtow is 2,200 kg. Assuming a hydrogen price of 7 €/kg and an AVGAS price of 3 EUR/l, the direct cost saving will be 40% compared with a conventional aircraft of the same category, for example the Cirrus SR22 and including the amortisation of the powertrain cost.
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This extraordinary result is the fruit of the research focus of APUS Group that since 2015 has been developing an efficient hydrogen storage system aerodynamically integrated in the structure of the aircraft. The wings contain four tanks, which are not only used to store the gaseous hydrogen, but also as a load-bearing structure. The pressure of the stored gas is 300 bar. The pressure system ensures that the aircraft can be easily refueled with low-cost non-cooled hydrogen that is already available at existing hydrogen fuel stations for cars and trucks. Fully filled, the tank has a capacity of 23 kg of hydrogen. Two electric motors, 135 kW each, consume the energy of 5 kg of hydrogen per hour. This allows a range of 500 nautical miles (926 km) and a cruise speed of 160 knots (ca. 300 km/h).