Hydrogen-powered flight inches closer to reality as Amazon and Gates’ cleantech fund back fuel-cell startup ZeroAvia

Hydrogen-powered flight inches closer to reality as Amazon and Gates’ cleantech fund back fuel-cell startup ZeroAvia

Happy Friday, and welcome to Insider Energy, a weekly energy newsletter brought to you by Business Insider.  

Here's what you need to know:

It snowed a lot this week. My dog lost his mind. Now, like all good things, the snow has turned to brown slush. 

Also this week, several top oil companies reported earnings, giving us a more complete picture of the financial fallout from the pandemic. There were no major surprises, but the negative numbers are big. 

We'll get to that, but first: A look at an early winner of the hydrogen boom. 

Hydrogen planes inch closer to reality with funding from Amazon, Shell, and Bill Gates' cleantech fund

When hydrogen gas inside the Hindenburg exploded in 1937, the era of airship travel came to an end. Now the very same gas is reentering the aviation industry. And this time it's kicking off a new era “” one of zero-carbon travel.

This week: I profiled ZeroAvia, an ambitious startup working on hydrogen-powered aircraft. It recently raised money from huge names including Amazon, Shell Ventures, and Bill Gates' climate tech venture fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures. 

Hydrogen's moment: Is right now. The gas is quickly building a reputation as a linchpin in the transition to cleaner energy, and