United invests in zero-emission hydrogen-electric engines as part of its commitment to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. The carrier has a new equity stake at ZeroAvia, a leading hydrogen-electric engine developer. This gives the airline access to zero-emission engines for their regional aircraft.
United expects to purchase up to 100 zero-emission hydrogen-electric engines. The engines will then get retrofitted on existing United aircraft by 2028. One of the candidates is the CRJ-550, United’s 50-seat aircraft that comes with premium amenities.
United CEO Scott Kirby said that hydrogen-electric engines are considered “one of the most promising paths to zero-emission air travel for smaller aircraft”. He also added that “United continues to look for opportunities to not only advance our sustainability initiatives but also identify and help technologies and solutions that the entire industry can adopt”.
Zero-Emission Hydrogen-Electric Engines
Hydrogen-electric engines make use of electricity produced by a chemical reaction via a fuel cell. And since it doesn’t require the use of traditional jet fuel, it doesn’t emit carbon into the atmosphere.
Val Miftakhov, the founder and CEO of ZeroAvia said that “This support by United, alongside other forward-thinking partners, demonstrates the importance of hydrogen-electric propulsion in the future of sustainable flight”. Miftakhov added that “The United Express routes powered by hydrogen-electric aircraft will be enabling large numbers of passengers to take zero-emission flights well within this decade”.
ZeroAvia will soon test the ZA600 in a 19-seater plane. It plans to offer smaller engines for commercial airlines by 2024.
First Flight Using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
On December 1, United became the first airline to fly a passenger flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Unfortunately, sustainable aviation fuel can only meet 1% of the global demand for traditional jet fuel. Plus, the production of sustainable aviation fuel is costlier than traditional fuel.
Earlier this year, United announced its agreement with Alder Fuels. United committed to buying twice as much sustainable aviation fuel than the rest of the world’s airlines combined.
