Boeing Plane to Be Powered by Fuel Cells

Boeing Co. will develop an electrically powered airplane to test cleaner technologies for commercial aircraft.

A Boeing research center in Madrid will replace the engine of a single-engine airplane with fuel cells and an electric motor able to turn the craft’s propeller, the company said. Test flights are set to begin in 2004.

Fuel cells, similar to large batteries, make electricity through a chemical process using hydrogen. Under ideal conditions, fuel cells emit only water vapor.

Though Boeing doesn’t expect fuel cells to replace jet engines on commercial airliners, the firm said they may eventually replace gas turbine auxiliary power units.