Air Canada said on Thursday it would buy 30 regional hybrid-electric planes from Swedish startup Heart Aerospace as part of its plans to tackle climate change, Reuters reports.

The battery-powered ES-30 regional jet under development will seat up to 30 passengers and generate zero emissions when it enters service, which is expected in 2028, Canada’s largest airline said in a statement. Canada’s largest airline will also acquire a $5 million equity stake in Heart Aerospace.

“The introduction of Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 electric regional aircraft to our fleet will be a step towards our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s president and chief executive officer. “Air Canada is already supporting the development of new technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels and carbon capture, to address climate change. We are now reinforcing our commitment by investing in revolutionary electric aircraft technology, both as an ES-30 customer and as equity partner in Heart Aerospace”.

The aircraft will feature lithium-ion batteries with an electric range of 200 kilometers and will also be equipped with standby hybrid generators that can use sustainable aviation fuel. With generators providing additional power, the range extends to 400 kilometers. The ES-30 will be fully electric zero emissions and will fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers. Heart Aerospace aims to create the greenest, most affordable and most accessible form of transportation in the world.

United Airlines had said in July 2021 that it would buy 100 electric 19-seat ES-19 planes from Heart Aerospace for regional routes. The US airline said in a press release that it was investing an undisclosed amount in the company with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines.

Flying is the most carbon intensive activity one can do. Airlines around the world are facing increasing pressure from regulators and environmental groups over greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global climate change.

The aviation industry, which is growing at a dizzying pace, is harming the planet by contributing to global warming, pollution and leaving a huge carbon footprint. According to a 2018 report, airplanes were responsible for about 3 percent of total US carbon dioxide emissions and almost 9 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the US transportation sector. USA

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