Ecojet Is World’s First Hydrogen-Fueled Electric Airline

UK-based company Ecotricity has launched Ecojet – the first-ever electric airline powered by renewable energy. The Brits claim a net-zero, emission-free air travel – something no other carrier has been able to offer to date.

The obvious question is – what will the fleet look like since there’s no news from any aviation engine manufacturer having developed, tested and certified an electric powerplant? Ecojet will use conventional planes retrofitted with hydrogen-electric powertrains. The company says that once converted, the aircraft will operate with the same power output as before. The only difference, of course, is a 100 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.

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So, why repurpose old planes to offer emission-free air travel? Ecotricity claims that avoiding building new aircraft from scratch will save 90,000 tonnes of carbon annually. And since the converted aircraft’s only emission will be water, that can be captured and released into the lower atmosphere to avoid any adverse effects.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince partnered with Brent Smith – an experienced pilot – and a team of aviation specialists to set up Ecojet. The new airline will commence flight operations in early 2024, starting with the Edinburgh to Southampton route. Soon afterwards, routes to mainland Europe will open. The company also plans to offer long-haul flights in the future.

Also Read: Mumbai-Based Firm To Buy 50 Electric Seaplanes

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Ecojet will start operations using two conventionally-fueled turboprops – a 19-seater and a 70-seater. This is necessary to secure routes and a license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These aircraft will be modified with hydrogen-electric powertrains as they are approved by the CAA. Ecojet says the first retrofit will occur in 2025, one year after its flights start. Further initiatives in the Ecojet operations will include serving plant-based meals, no single-use plastic and environmentally-friendly uniforms.

According to Ecotricity, the aviation industry accounts for around 3 per cent of global CO2 emissions. However, its overall impact on the climate is three times as bad because of the altitude at which the harmful emissions are released.