British Eco-baron Dale Vince Unveils World’s First Electric Airline, ‘Ecojet,’ Powered by Renewable Energy
In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable aviation, Dale Vince, the British eco-baron, has announced plans for the world’s first Electric Airline, named ‘Ecojet.’ This ambitious startup aims to revolutionize air travel by enabling net-zero, emission-free flights for the first time in history.
Ecojet’s fleet will consist of conventional planes retrofitted with cutting-edge hydrogen-electric powertrains. Interestingly, after the conversion, these aircraft will retain the same power output while achieving a remarkable 100% reduction in CO2 emissions.
One notable eco-friendly aspect of Ecojet’s approach is repurposing old planes instead of building entirely new models. This decision is projected to save a staggering 90,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. The only byproduct of the Ecojet flights will be water, which will be captured and released into the lower atmosphere, mitigating the harmful effects of contrails.
Dale Vince, already renowned for founding Ecotricity, the UK’s first green electricity provider, has partnered with experienced pilot Brent Smith and a team of aviation specialists to make Ecojet a reality.
The airline is set to commence domestic flights in the UK from early 2024, with the inaugural route connecting Edinburgh to Southampton. Soon after, Ecojet plans to expand its services to mainland Europe, and long-haul flights are on the horizon for the future.
According to Vince, aviation currently accounts for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions. However, when considering the altitude at which fossil fuel pollution is released, the industry’s overall contribution to the climate crisis is estimated to be three times higher.
Ecojet represents a giant leap forward in tackling this issue, with Dale Vince estimating that his project is ten years ahead of the rest of the aviation industry. He calls it ‘the biggest revolution in the aviation industry since the invention of the jet engine.’
To secure routes and obtain a license from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Ecojet will initially launch using conventionally fueled planes. However, the company plans to retrofit its fleet with hydrogen-electric powertrains as soon as they become approved for service by the CAA. The first retrofits are scheduled for 2025, just one year after the airline’s launch.
Dale Vince expresses his passion for sustainable air travel, emphasizing that Ecojet will finally allow people to explore the world without harming it. With flights powered by renewable energy and free of CO2 emissions, Ecojet represents a significant milestone towards a greener future in aviation.