Stralis Australia, a Brisbane-based aviation start-up, has begun testing its emission-free, high-temperature proton-exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell technology in Auckland, with hopes of achieving Australia’s first hydrogen-electric flights. Co-founder and CTO of Stralis Aircraft, Stuart Johnstone, said: “We are proud to be working with Air New Zealand to test our unique fuel cell technology in their engine test facility”. “New Zealand is an ideal location to develop, test and adopt emission-free aircraft technology, so it is a great place to build capability and understanding,” he said. HTPEM fuel cell technology is also much lighter and can allow aircraft to fly up to 10 times further than battery-electric green tech solutions. Last year, Stralis completed a successful ground-based propeller test of a hydrogen power train at Brisbane Airport and is looking to operate its first hydrogen test flight this year.