The world’s first electric airline powered by renewable energy will launch operations in the U.K. in 2024. The Ecojet venture supported by sustainable energy booster Ecotricity will retrofit conventional craft with hydrogen-electric powertrains to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Conventional aircraft will be retrofitted with hydrogen-electric powertrains. Source: Ecotricity

Instead of constructing new aircraft, the focus will be on repurposing older models to eliminate the release of 90,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Water will form the only by-product, which can be captured and released into the lower atmosphere.

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Ecojet will initially start operating with conventionally fueled planes. Starting in 2025, two different sizes of turboprop aircraft — a 19-seat aircraft and a 70-seat aircraft — will be retrofitted with hydrogen-electric powertrains as they become approved for service by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. Onboard hydrogen tanks will be filled up with hydrogen produced using renewable energy.