In an effort to switch to alternative fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions, EasyJet Plc and Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc announced that they had tested a hydrogen jet engine.
The test was carried out using hydrogen produced by wind and tidal energy in a modified Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional jet engine.
The firms, which announced their alliance in July, stated that after a series of ground tests, the following phase calls for so-called rig tests, followed by a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.
Despite the fact that technologies like electricity and hydrogen are still years away from widespread commercial use, airlines and manufacturers are pushing for the use of more environmentally friendly fuel as an alternative to kerosene.
By 2050, net zero carbon emissions are to be achieved, according to the Race to Zero pledge supported by the UN.
Airbus SE is testing its first hydrogen-powered propulsion system on an A380 superjumbo in preparation for deploying hydrogen fuel on new passenger airplanes by 2035.
Although the US industry has expressed skepticism about the 2035 deadline for commercial jetliners, rival Boeing Co. is testing hydrogen fuel cells on its ScanEagle3 pilotless military drone.
