Story perspectives

China Tests New Liquid Hydrogen Engine for Aviation

3/30/2026

Left

China Tests AEP100 Engine

China conducted ground tests of the AEP100 turboprop, its first liquid hydrogen engine meeting megawatt-level standards.
The AEP100 was developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China.
Future applications may include unmanned aerial logistics and regional aviation, expanding a trillion-yuan industrial chain.
Experts caution that cost, performance, and safety hurdles limit prospects for liquid hydrogen engines to replace conventional fuels in commercial aviation soon.

Right

China Reduces Hydrogen Prices

China aims to reduce hydrogen prices to below 25 yuan per kilogram by 2030, with Nanhai as the hydrogen industry capital.
Prices currently exceed 35 yuan per kilogram.
The focus shifts from hydrogen-powered vehicles to broader industrial applications, including green ammonia production.
Fuel cell electric vehicle adoption has lagged, with 40,000 units sold by end of 2025.
Analysts say improved economics could position China to benefit from emerging hydrogen sector.

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China Tests AEP100 Engine

China conducted ground tests of the AEP100 turboprop, its first liquid hydrogen engine meeting megawatt-level standards.
The AEP100 was developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China.
Future applications may include unmanned aerial logistics and regional aviation, expanding a trillion-yuan industrial chain.
Experts caution that cost, performance, and safety hurdles limit prospects for liquid hydrogen engines to replace conventional fuels in commercial aviation soon.

1 / 2