Australia's Stralis Retrofits Two Beech Bonanza A36s with Hydrogen Electric Propulsion

Founded in Australia in 2021, Stralis Aircraft aims to decarbonize aviation by developing hydrogen-electric propulsion (HEP) systems, claiming they can fly 10 times farther than battery-electric alternatives and operate at 50% lower costs than fossil fuel-powered aircraft.

Stralis has acquired two Beechcraft Bonanza A36 airframes - affectionately named Bonnie and Clyde - to test their HEP system. Ground tests on Clyde were conducted in December 2024, and the company intends to fly Bonnie, powered by HEP, in the third quarter of 2025.

The Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion (HEP) system being developed by Stralis Aircraft is neither a fuel cell nor an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) converted to burn hydrogen. Instead, it combines hydrogen fuel with an electric propulsion system.

The HEP system works by using hydrogen fuel to power a generator, which in turn produces electricity to run electric motors that drive the aircraft's propellers. This method generates power more efficiently than traditional ICEs while producing zero carbon emissions—the only byproduct of the hydrogen reaction is water.

Unlike fuel cell technology, which directly converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process, HEP systems generate power indirectly by using hydrogen to fuel a generator, which then produces electricity for the motors.

This ambitious project demonstrates the potential for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems to revolutionize aviation, offering a more sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels. As companies like Stralis push the boundaries of innovation, the future of flight could very well be hydrogen-powered.

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