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United intends to buy up to 100 hydrogen electric engines

The airline hopes to use the engines for zero emission travel on regional aircraft.

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United Airlines has made an investment in hydrogen electric engines.

 Kent German/CNET

United Airlines said Tuesday it plans to buy up to 100 hydrogen electric engines through an investment in ZeroAvia, a company working on engines powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The airline hopes to use the engines in pairs on existing regional aircraft by 2028.

The technology represents "one of the most promising paths to zero-emission air travel for smaller aircraft," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement.

Alaska Air Group is among ZeroAvia's previous investors, the company noted, along with Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, AP Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Summa Equity and Shell Ventures.