Autonomous vortex-surfing cargo gliders promise 65% cheaper air freight

A West Texas company says it’s found a remarkably simple way to slash air cargo costs as much as 65% – by having planes tow autonomous, cargo-carrying gliders behind them, big enough to double, or potentially triple their payload capacity.Continue Read… Continue reading Autonomous vortex-surfing cargo gliders promise 65% cheaper air freight

First 2,000 Aptera solar EV Launch Edition production slots claimed

A futuristic-looking electric vehicle that was launched by a Californian startup way back in 2007 is finally on the road to production. Following a year-long crowdfunding effort, the first 2,000 Aptera Launch Edition solar EV production slots have now … Continue reading First 2,000 Aptera solar EV Launch Edition production slots claimed

Electrified trailer cuts fuel consumption in semi-trucks by 36.3%

Range Energy makes truck trailers, with a clever connection to any standard tractor cab, loaded with electric powertrains to turn any semi into an efficient hybrid. They also let you push entire trailers around by hand at the depot in “shopping cart mo… Continue reading Electrified trailer cuts fuel consumption in semi-trucks by 36.3%

GE resurrects the propfan aircraft engine, cutting fuel burn by 20%

GE once thought super-efficient propfans were the future of air travel, until low fuel prices in the late 1980s moved fuel consumption down the list of priorities. Now, it’s bringing them back with the CFM Rise, promising 20% fuel savings.Continue Read… Continue reading GE resurrects the propfan aircraft engine, cutting fuel burn by 20%

Boeing to build braced-wing airliner, shooting for 30% efficiency gain

When you burn as much fuel as an airline does, a single-digit fuel efficiency tweak adds up to massive savings. Take the drag-reducing Aeroshark film Swiss Airlines has stuck all over its 12 Boeing 777s – it delivers a 1% efficiency gain, and as a resu… Continue reading Boeing to build braced-wing airliner, shooting for 30% efficiency gain

World’s most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain

The Celera 500L is a truly remarkable design. Otto Aviation says its odd shape delivers an astonishing 59 percent reduction in drag, and a massive leap in efficiency and range compared to traditional plane geometries. Arguably, this thing should’ve bee… Continue reading World’s most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain

World’s most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain

The Celera 500L is a truly remarkable design. Otto Aviation says its odd shape delivers an astonishing 59 percent reduction in drag, and a massive leap in efficiency and range compared to traditional plane geometries. Arguably, this thing should’ve bee… Continue reading World’s most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain

Shark-skin-inspired film immediately drops airliner fuel consumption

Zero-emissions airliners are still a long way off, but Lufthansa and BASF have developed a way to improve things right now. AeroShark is an adhesive riblet film that immediately reduces fuel consumption, and therefore emissions, from any aircraft.Conti… Continue reading Shark-skin-inspired film immediately drops airliner fuel consumption

Shark-skin-inspired film immediately drops airliner fuel consumption

Zero-emissions airliners are still a long way off, but Lufthansa and BASF have developed a way to improve things right now. AeroShark is an adhesive riblet film that immediately reduces fuel consumption, and therefore emissions, from any aircraft.Conti… Continue reading Shark-skin-inspired film immediately drops airliner fuel consumption

Airseas installs its first fuel-saving auto-kite on a cargo ship

French company Airseas has installed its first half-size automated Seawing kite to a cargo ship chartered by Airbus, and will commence six months of trials in January. The full-size kite is estimated to save up to 20 percent of fuel burn and emissions…. Continue reading Airseas installs its first fuel-saving auto-kite on a cargo ship