Long-haul flights are the greatest source, by far, of the aviation industry’s carbon emissions. ZeroAvia’s solution: a plane with a hydrogen-electric engine that primarily draws power from fuel cells, with a lithium-battery assist. In January, it made history by successfully completing a test flight of a 19-seat plane. By 2027, it aims to power 80-seat aircraft for up to 700 nautical miles—but its next goal is a certified engine ready for commercial flights by 2025. “This flight was the first in a series of flight tests that propel the company forward,” says CEO and founder Val Miftakhov. He already has over 1,500 provisional orders, with interest from American Airlines, United Airlines, and IAG.
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