United Airlines Investing in Electric Battery Company

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:20 PM ET, Fri July 21, 2023

United Airlines Ventures announced an investment in Electric Power Systems (EPS), a company producing compatible module technology that can be applied to various batteries in aerospace applications.

The carrier could use the EPS technology for several near-term applications and as part of its longer-term operations that support decarbonization. The investment into electric battery technology is United’s second overall after sodium-ion battery maker Natron.

For EPS, the company is looking to overhaul the aviation battery ecosystem—from battery packs in planes to charging stations on the ground—with ideas designed to keep costs low and provide rapid charges without degrading the life of the battery.

“Typically, we've had a clear vision of how to integrate sustainability investments into our operations,” United Airlines Ventures President Michael Leskinen said. “What makes EPS's technology different and exciting is the scope of operational possibilities where we have the option to deploy it today and, in the future, to help electrify and decarbonize our operations.”

The long-term goal is for the EPS powertrain to serve as the core propulsion system for a family of future electric aircraft concepts.

In addition, United has more than 12,000 pieces of motorized ground equipment and plans to use the EPS technology to charge future air taxis, auxiliary power unit (APU) start products and cold-chain storage for cargo containers.

“United's best roadmap to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets, is by using every tool at our disposal – that includes the potential use of EPS's impressive portfolio of electric aircraft powertrain solutions, including high-performance power electronics, and energy storage systems,” Leskinen continued.

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