Climate (MENA) 
Egypt Edition 
UAE Edition 
Saudi Edition 
MENA <> India Corridor 
Logistics (MENA) 
Share
Read Full Issue 
Israel’s Hevendrones says it will debut its hydrogen-powered drone the H2D55 during this week, the National reports. The drone can be used for defense, last-mile deliveries, and agricultural applications — including artificial pollination and pesticide control, according to the company website.
Hydrogen vs. electric: The H2D55 can fly for 100 minutes with a 7kg load on a full charge while being 5x more energy efficient than contemporary lithium battery-powered drones, IsraelDefense notes. Hevendrones says the affordability of the green fuel when purchased at scale — coupled with the possibility of using portable electrolysers to generate hydrogen from moisture in the air and electricity — will bring down costs and turbocharge the adoption of similar logistics offerings, CEO Bentzion Levinson told the National. These perks will position hydrogen-powered drones as a more affordable option in the long term compared to electric alternatives, despite the heftier retail price tags.
And it's a W for decarbonizing logistics: A recent study by PwC found that a switch to drones for the fulfillment of last mile deliveries would push down annual emission levels by some 2.4 mn tons of CO2 equivalent in the UK alone.
More drones in the pipeline: The H2D55 is the first in a line up of three other hydrogen drones set to be rolled out in 2023, IsraelDefense notes. Hevendrones is expecting in excess of 100% y-o-y in sales hikes, Levinson told the National.
Could the UAE be in line for local assembly? The company is currently exploring the possibility of launching assembly facilities in the country with potential partners, Levinson added.
The UAE has more low-carbon logistics solutions coming its way: UAE logistics firm Aramex said on Tuesday that it successfully completed drone and roadside bot delivery pilot tests in partnership with drone delivery solutions company Barq EV in the UAE. The company completed a similar pilot in Oman back in October, and said it will expand testing across MENA, without disclosing the timeframe of its planned regional expansion.
