American airline United Airlines invested in ZeroAvia, a company specializing in powering electric motors with hydrogen fuel cells. With this participation, United Airlines plans to equip its planes with hydrogen electric motors (ZA2000-RJ), an engine described as not producing any emissions.
United Airlines relies on hydrogen electric motors
By 2028, United Airlines plans to equip around fifty airplanes with hydrogen electric motors, thanks to its participation in ZeroAvia. Airline CEO Scott Kirby said hydrogen engines were “One of the most promising pathways towards emission-free air transport for small planes”. The airline sector seeks solutions to decarbonise the aircraft of the future and hydrogen seems to be the most interesting energy.
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According to ISAE-SUPAERO researchers, this fuel could require a change in the architecture of airplanes as we know them. Some speak of a “Flying wing”, to meet the challenges imposed by hydrogen. Several scenarios are being studied. It is clear that the airlines seem to have become aware of the climate issue that stands before us. According to the World Wildlife Fund “Air travel is the most carbon intensive activity an individual can do”.
This is why new companies are emerging with solutions and technologies capable of reversing the trend, with the aim of reducing the environmental footprint of the aviation sector. This is the case of ZeroAvia, a company specializing in hydrogen fuels in the aviation sector, has therefore raised $ 35 thanks to United Airlines and Alaska Air Group, Shell Ventures, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. .
Hydrogen planes before 2030?
The hydrogen sector has been popular for several years. In France, Emmanuel Macron recently announced that he would inject 1.9 billion euros more to stimulate the hydrogen sector. The head of state wants to make France one of the European leaders in the manufacture of hydrogen. The challenges of the airline industry are immense. While Airbus announces hydrogen electric aircraft for 2035, ZeroAvia has already flown its first hydrogen aircraft …
On this subject, the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, prefers to remain cautious about the prospects of new and emerging technologies in the airline sector. He considers it highly unlikely that hydrogen-powered aircraft emerge during the current decade and add this: “I think we should be honest. Personally, I do not see the arrival of hydrogen fuels or sustainable fuels, nor of electric propulsion systems, before the 2030s ”.