Airbus Ditches Lithium-Ion Batteries
The first flight test A350 XWB awaits completion outside the Airbus factory in December. Photo: Airbus
Airbus is activating what it is calling Plan B and dropping lithium-ion batteries from its newest composite airliner even as Boeing continues investigating why the technology has created epic problems for its flagship 787 Dreamliner.
Airbus announced Friday that its A350 XWB which has yet to make its first flight will use the proven and mastered nickel-cadmium main batteries when the airplane enters passenger service, according to a statement. In an interesting twist, the company says it is confident the lithium-ion batteries it has been developing are robust and safe, and early flight test aircraft will use them. Airbus Ditches Lithium-Ion Batteries
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That seems to be the safest option at the moment and one that Boeing should strongly consider.