Author: Dominic Weeks

[Everett, WA & Kemble, UK] — ZeroAvia today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published the special conditions for the company’s electric engine as a Final Rule to the Federal Register. This represents a major step towards type certification of ZeroAvia’s electric propulsion system and wider hydrogen-electric powertrain.

The special conditions advance ZeroAvia’s readiness to progress through the certification process following the FAA issuing G1 and P1 issue papers last year. It caps off a run of milestones with the respective regulators overseeing the company’s certification projects, including the UK CAA awarding the company Design Organization Approval in October last year.

Given the novelty involved in electric engines for aircraft, the special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the FAA Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by existing airworthiness standards. As the world’s only hydrogen-electric focused Design Organization Approval OEM, ZeroAvia has demonstrated it has the maturity, processes and procedures to provide confidence to regulators that it can comply with stringent requirements. 

[Kemble, UK & Everett, WA – December 22nd 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has completed a further round of financing, led by Barclays Climate Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Horizons Ventures, Summa Equity, and AP Ventures, with participation from the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

With additional investment secured, ZeroAvia has extended its cash runway for the next two years and will continue to fully industrialize its hydrogen power and propulsion technology for the aviation and defense markets.  

The company is already supplying its SuperStack Flex modular fuel cell power generation system to the defense sector, and there is increasing interest in the systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. The dual-use potential is strong: ZeroAvia is also in active customer discussions with eVTOL and fixed-wing commercial players in relation to deploying the compact, lightweight, flexible systems. 

The SuperStack Flex can enable both electric propulsion and enhanced on-board electrical power generation with greater power density than battery systems. It unlocks all of the benefits of electrical operation – lower thermal and noise signatures, reduced maintenance costs, enhanced reliability and zero-emissions – and with significantly enhanced endurance. With Design Organisation Approval granted by the UK CAA in November, ZeroAvia is well positioned to deliver the first fuel cell systems for aviation with regulatory approvals. 

As well as a standalone power generation system with a wide variety of defense and civil applications, the SuperStack Flex is a core module of ZeroAvia’s first planned full hydrogen-electric powertrain, ZA600, designed for 10-20 seat commercial aircraft. With a prototype extensively flight tested, hundreds of engine orders in place with airline customers (including a launch customer), and funding in place to support the entry-in-service of 15 aircraft in Norway, ZeroAvia’s focus is now on pushing towards its first certification to support these opportunities.   

[Kemble, UK & Everett, WA – November 17, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has been awarded design organisation approval (DOA) by the UK CAA, a critical milestone on its path to certifying a hydrogen-electric engine intended for Part 23 aircraft. The accreditation confirms that the CAA is satisfied that ZeroAvia has the technical expertise, facilities and capabilities to design safe and reliable products, and is prepared to comply with stringent requirements for certification.

The award means that ZeroAvia has become the first company globally seeking to certify a hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain to receive DOA accreditation from a national regulator. The award confirms that a manufacturer is qualified to design and hold a type certificate for propulsion systems developed under commercial aviation regulations. These requirements are intended to ensure safe global market entry and have been adopted by other regulatory authorities, including EASA and the FAA. 

Securing DOA represents an essential enabler towards the company’s goal of securing a type certificate for its ZA600 – a 600kW powertrain which uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, thus powering electric motors to turn aircraft propellers. Water vapour is the only emission from the engine, and it promises greater efficiency and reduced maintenance costs for airlines. 

Achieving DOA status follows two other significant regulatory milestones for ZeroAvia this year, with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issuing both G-1 and P-1 issue papers in relation to ZeroAvia’s bid to certify its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS). The 600kW EPS is made up of the company’s proprietary motor and power electronics technology and is both an integral part of the overall ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, and a power-source agnostic electric engine in its own right, with a range of applications. 

Earlier this year, ZeroAvia confirmed that RVL Aviation intends to be the first operator to fly the ZA600 engine in a Cessna Caravan 208b on cargo routes in the UK. The company is also working to scale the hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for larger segments of aircraft and has secured thousands of engine pre-orders with airlines across the world. 

The company has established a unique range of test facilities at its UK R&D and flight testing centre at Cotswold Airport, enabling an efficient testing programme to satisfy the means of compliance that it is in the process of agreeing with the CAA. After rigorous inspection of the facilities, interviews with ZeroAvia’s team and audit of its process, the CAA was able to award the DOA.  

[Kemble, UK & Bedford, UK – 10^th November 2025] — ZeroAvia and Hybrid Air Vehicles today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner on development of a hydrogen-electric variant of Airlander 10.

Airlander 10 is a new type of hybrid aircraft that uses a combination of aerostatic lift, aerodynamic lift, and vectored thrust, with a 10 tonne payload and 4,000 nautical mile maximum range. The initial Airlander 10 will be powered by four diesel engines, providing an emissions reduction of up to 90% when compared with comparable capacity aircraft. Integrating ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion will deliver full zero-emission in-flight operations carrying 100+ passengers, as well as reduced maintenance costs.

ZeroAvia’s first generation 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain – ZA600 – has already passed several regulatory milestones, secured hundreds of pre-orders and signed up launch customer airlines who are working to embed the system into more traditional fixed-wing aircraft for lower cost and more environmentally friendly flight. The company has conducted flight testing of a prototype on board a 19-seat aircraft.

With ample space for hydrogen storage in the hull, the Airlander represents an excellent option for adopting the first generation of certified hydrogen technologies that are already close to market entry: hydrogen storage, low temperature PEM fuel cell power generation and electric propulsion systems that are well advanced in the certification journey. This partnership will build on HAV’s earlier R&D work to explore electric propulsion for Airlander.

As part of the agreement, the companies will also study the potential applicability of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric technology to future larger aircraft developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles, and assess planned Airlander 10 operations to define the hydrogen fuel infrastructure requirements.

[Kemble, UK & Everett, WA – October 15th, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has shipped its first flight intent SuperStack Flex modular low temperature proton exchange membrane (LTPEM) fuel cell system to a customer in the defense sector. The system has been fully qualified against the customer’s airworthiness requirements.

ZeroAvia’s SuperStack Flex is a modular fuel cell power generation system that can be configured to meet specific customer power needs while maintaining high power-to-weight ratio and highly flexible configuration.  

The lightweight, aerospace optimized balance-of-plant, has been developed to enhance the range of many Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV), with further potential applicability across aerospace, maritime and ground use cases. The system can be used to provide propulsive power or to deliver enhanced onboard electrical capacity, opening up new capabilities in primary propulsion, auxiliary power systems and mission systems including ISR applications. The Superstack Flex is also an ideal system for the new FAA Mosaic Light Sport Category, providing more than enough power for a standard four-seater general aviation (GA) aircraft in this sector. 

The SuperStack Flex has demonstrated over 1.2kW/kg specific power and recently completed more than 100 hours of testing, consuming over 250 kg of hydrogen, and delivering continuous power at greater than 150 kW over long intervals, with peak power over 175 kW.   

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are becoming increasingly relevant to armed forces due to unique advantages in energy density, lower detectability thanks to reduced thermal and noise signatures, operational flexibility and lower maintenance costs. 

Using selective laser sintering (SLS) powder-bed additive manufacturing processes, ZeroAvia has been able to perform high velocity cycles of design, build and test, and quickly combine typical parts or their functions into new monolithic structures. The key parts in the SuperStack Flex’s balance of plant – Anode, Cathode and Coolant Manifolds, thermal management, humidification and air compression systems – have been reduced from over 200 parts to less than 100, with ~50% weight and volume reductions. Fewer parts mean lighter, more compact, more reliable and less costly systems.    

In the final stages of testing, the system was providing power back to ZeroAva’s Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, generating enough power to offset the entire building’s consumption. 

 [Everett, WA: August 19th, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has reached consensus with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with an agreed and fully signed P-1 Special Conditions Issue Paper regarding certification of its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS). 

The P-1 follows issuance of the FAA G-1 in February 2025 and documents the special conditions applicable to ZeroAvia’s novel electric propulsion technology to be addressed in the certification process with the U.S. regulator. Once the FAA’s Special Conditions rule is finalized and published in the Federal Register, the means of compliance for the innovative EPS meeting those conditions will be determined in the next certification stage.  

Progressing from the G-1 to the P-1 marks another milestone both on the journey toward certification of ZeroAvia’s EPS with the U.S. regulator, and also on the path toward certifying the company’s first fully hydrogen-electric powertrain with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.  

ZeroAvia’s 600kW EPS combines the company’s proprietary inverter and electric motor technology to deliver a highly efficient electric engine with exceptional fault tolerance and specific power. The 600kW EPS system comprises four ZeroAvia 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverters converting DC power to AC to supply ZeroAvia’s direct drive motor, capable of 2,200 rpm.  

ZeroAvia launched a component offering in May 2024 to serve the market for novel electric air transport applications. Potential applications for the 600kW EPS include battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV’s”).   

The electric propulsion system is one part of ZeroAvia’s deep portfolio of hydrogen and electric aviation technology, resulting from the company’s strong commitment to vertical integration. ZeroAvia’s complete ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, designed for up to 20-seat commercial aircraft, combines the EPS with a hydrogen fuel cell power generation system (“PGS”).  

ZeroAvia has already tested a prototype of the ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base. The company also has an engineering partnership with Textron Aviation as it looks to secure a supplemental type certificate for the Cessna Grand Caravan as the launch airframe for the ZA600. And in May, the company announced RVL Aviation as its UK launch customer for the world’s first hydrogen-electric commercial service route.    

[Everett, WA & Kemble, UK July 17, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company’s roadmap for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large regional aircraft. The company has now been granted a total of 45 patents related to hydrogen and electric aviation systems, with almost 250 applications, most of which are still going through the patent office pipelines.  

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) no. 12,341,225 covers an integrated hydrogen-electric engine and is key to the development of a modular multi-MW hydrogen-electric engine for ATR and Dash 8 families of aircraft. The design concept relates to ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 engine for 40-80 seat regional turboprops and jets, with advanced and novel integration concepts creating a tightly packaged, power-dense zero-emission aircraft engine.  

Also important for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large aircraft is the delivery of fuel cell systems with higher specific power. UK patent office GB2614450 covers novel coatings for aluminium bipolar plates for high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell systems, allowing the higher temperature operation with lightweight metals, while overcoming material degradation challenges.  

Other patents granted cover key innovations in cryogenic management systems, thermal management for fuel cell systems and fuel cell catalysts using platinum nanoparticles. One relates to a refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that enables both efficient refueling and employs a thermoelectric generator to leverage the heat from the refueling process to provide electricity for other aircraft systems.  

ZeroAvia’s granted patent portfolio now includes key coverage across all key subsystems of the engine and aspects of aircraft integration. With the addition of the robust set of trade secrets, especially in the areas of material innovations related to ZeroAvia’s unique HTPEM fuel cell systems, the company now boasts one of the most advanced IP portfolios in hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain technology.  

With both Airbus and Boeing advancing plans and IP for hydrogen-ready airframes in recent weeks, securing IP on engine systems is a key building block for aspiring clean engine manufacturers for the aircraft of the future. Building a strong IP portfolio has been an integral part of ZeroAvia’s strategy since inception, with high-levels of in-house development of core systems enabling rapid progression through design gates and creating additional commercial opportunities beyond the primary commercial aero engine market.  

[@Paris Air Show: June 17th, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced the UK Government has awarded the company and consortium partners a grant towards a £10.8m project to develop a novel liquid hydrogen management system. The project, co-funded through the ATI Programme, will culminate in integration of the lightweight fuel system into a Dornier 228 before a series of flight tests.  

The Liquid Hydrogen System Integration & Flight Test (LH-SIFT) project will rapidly develop a Liquid Hydrogen Management System (LHMS) and create an adaptable flight testbed capability. The testbed capability will benefit UK and global LH2 supply chains in maturing liquid hydrogen technologies faster. 

The LH2 management system developed as part of LH-SIFT is comprised of a novel lightweight metallic tank design and supporting systems for filling and managing storage and distribution. Consortium partners Green Resource Engineering and Gas & Liquid Controls will collaborate with ZeroAvia on fill, feed, vent and vaporiser systems.  

The project will also establish the world’s first liquid hydrogen flying commercial airframe testbed, providing unique opportunities for later projects to develop and test cryogenic aviation fuel system components in flight, building strong UK leadership in this area.  

ZeroAvia is advancing certification of a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain for 10-20 seat planes using gaseous hydrogen fuel. However, the company is also developing the next generation of fuel cell aircraft engines with its ZA2000 for 40-80 seat aircraft, and supporting other high-power use cases through its component offering. To support these aircraft’s typical missions, it is necessary to transition to liquid hydrogen fuel storage – storing fuel at cryogenic temperatures around -253°C – which enables more energy by volume. In addition to fueling larger aircraft platforms, smaller zero-emissions aircraft can also benefit from using liquid hydrogen to extend their capability. 

[Kemble, UK & Everett, WA, USA: May 13th, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has signed an agreement with RVL Aviation which will see RVL operate Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric, zero-emission ZA600 powertrain. Flights within the British Isles will commence once certification for the engine, airframe integration and planned services are obtained and all retrofit and training work is complete.   

Analysis performed by RVL and ZeroAvia confirms that the ZA600-enabled Cessna Caravan would meet existing operational requirements while virtually eliminating the climate impact of the operations. There are nearly 1,000 aircraft operating cargo routes around the world today that could in future be powered by ZA600 powertrains.   

This current agreement focuses on one type of aircraft, Cessna Caravan 208B, with RVL working with zero-emission specialist MONTE on the aircraft lease. The partners will explore opportunities to launch further small turboprop operations in the growing RVL network based on the success of the initial operations, as well as expand the technology across its other operations when the technology and operating conditions permit.  

RVL Aviation is a specialist aviation services provider with more than 40 years of experience. The company and its skilled people deliver their expertise to a wide range of Government and private sector organisations, helping to support economic and environmental prosperity agendas. RVL Aviation is headquartered at East Midlands Airport, operating primarily from its hangar and maintenance facility, and its capabilities include airborne survey, aerial surveillance, aerial dispersant services and aircraft charter. 

ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity to power electric motors that turn propulsors, with the only byproduct being water. Analysis suggests that switching to fuel cell propulsion can provide an overall climate impact reduction in the region of 90%.¹ Further, hydrogen-electric propulsion can reduce overall operating costs for carriers due to the lower requirement for maintenance and lower fuel costs in the scaled operations.  

[Everett, WA & Kemble, UK: 11th March 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that its SuperStack Flex highly-customizable LTPEM fuel cell architecture has achieved over 1.0kW/kg specific net power at a full system level, including thermal management system, and has been successfully demonstrated in a 150kW net power configuration for a major customer.  

The industry leading testing results have been made possible thanks to ZeroAvia’s innovative use of additive manufacturing techniques and will expand UAV / VTOL capabilities of the systems, as well as opening new applications in aerospace and other sectors.  

Using selective laser sintering (SLS) powder-bed additive manufacturing processes, ZeroAvia has been able to perform high velocity cycles of design, build and test, and quickly combine typical parts or their functions into new monolithic structures. The key parts in the SuperStack Flex’s balance of plant – Anode, Cathode and Coolant Manifolds, thermal management, humidification and air compression systems – have been reduced from over 200 parts to less than 100, with ~50% weight and volume reductions. Fewer parts mean lighter, more compact, more reliable and less costly systems.   

The ZeroAvia SuperStack Flex is a modular fuel cell power generation platform that can be scaled up or down between 100kW and 600kW net total continuous power applications. The lightweight, aviation optimized balance-of-plant, has been developed as a best-fit approach for many Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) with further potential applicability across aerospace and in marine and ground vehicles.  

As well as its flexibility for different power requirements, the SuperStack Flex design enables separation of the core systems, meaning it can be highly versatile and efficient to integrate into different airframes, overcoming space constraints.  

The flexibility of the SuperStack Flex system enables customers to incorporate the technology and accelerate their R&D on fuel cell powered platforms. ZeroAvia’s focus on certification of its fuel cell engines and its traction with the CAA and FAA, provides confidence to customers working towards regulatory approval of their platforms. 

[Everett, WA: 18th February 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it agreed a deal for the first sale of its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS) to Jetcruzer International for electric flight testing to hone the design of its Jetcruzer 500E. Delivery of the development unit EPS is expected this spring.  

ZeroAvia has secured well in excess of 2,000 pre-orders for its full hydrogen-electric powertrains from commercial airlines and last year the company launched  a component offering to serve the market for novel electric air transport applications.  

ZeroAvia’s 600kW EPS has just received an FAA G-1 issue paper outlining the basis of certification. The system comprises the company’s proprietary inverter and electric motor technology to deliver a highly efficient electric engine with exceptional fault tolerance and specific power. The 600kW EPS system comprises four ZeroAvia 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverters converting DC power to AC to supply ZeroAvia’s direct drive motor, capable of 2,200 rpm.  

ZeroAvia has opened a 136k sq ft Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, WA to produce the electric propulsion systems for its own full hydrogen-electric powertrains and for aircraft OEMs like Jetcruzer.  

Jetcruzer International is developing the Jetcruzer 500E, a six-seat hydrogen-electric aircraft, with an entry-into-service target of 2028, followed by the 1250E in 2030. ZeroAvia’s EPS system will be integrated into flight testing using a redesigned and rebuilt Jetcruzer 500 as a testbed for the new electric aircraft. Originally conceived in the 1990s as a cost-effective air transport solution, the Jetcruzer 500 achieved significant FAA certification milestones but never reached production. Jetcruzer International acquired the intellectual property in 2017 and has since been dedicated to advancing a new era of sustainable aviation. 

The Jetcruzer 500E is set to become one of the first aircraft with a type certificate to successfully fly with an all-electric propulsion system. This collaboration with ZeroAvia underscores Jetcruzer International’s dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility. 

[Kemble, UK: February 4th, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has been invited to join the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s extended and expanded Hydrogen Challenge programme.  

Working with the CAA, ZeroAvia will explore the necessary safety and regulatory requirements for commercial adoption of hydrogen as it looks towards the certification of its ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft. This work with the regulator includes exploring safe hydrogen fuel storage, distribution and refuelling practices at airfields and on aircraft. It complements ZeroAvia’s efforts to certify its first full hydrogen-electric engine – the ZA600 designed for up to 20 seat planes – with the CAA.  

ZeroAvia’s participation in the first round of the Sandbox Challenge included investigating the development, design & testing of the ZA600, and furthering the operational understanding and safety requirements of hydrogen in aviation.  

The next stage of the Hydrogen Challenge will see the development of new designs of cutting-edge aircraft that use hydrogen fuel cell power systems and remotely piloted systems to drive down carbon emissions. It will also examine changes to airport infrastructure, include new scientific research by some of Britain’s leading aeronautical institutes, and support flight trials, safety assessments, and demos.  

[Everett, WA: February 3rd, 2025] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has reached consensus on the Certification Basis relating to its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS) with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), having received a G-1 Issue Paper (stage 2) and formally confirmed agreement with its contents. 

The G-1 represents a key milestone on the journey towards final certification of the company’s EPS with the U.S. regulator, and also on its path to certifying its first full hydrogen-electric powertrain (of which the EPS is a core system) with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The issue paper designates the applicable airworthiness regulations specific for ZeroAvia’s EPS, allowing the company to validate its design requirements.  

ZeroAvia’s 600kW EPS combines the company’s proprietary inverter and electric motor technology to deliver a highly efficient electric engine with exceptional fault tolerance and specific power. The 600kW EPS system comprises four ZeroAvia 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverters converting DC power to AC to supply ZeroAvia’s direct drive motor, capable of 2,200 rpm. Potential applications for the 600kW EPS include battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.  

The 600kW system was designed as part of ZeroAvia’s wider ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, designed for up to 20 seat commercial aircraft. By advancing the aerospace applicability and performance of power electronics and electric motors, the company is progressing discussions to supply the electric propulsion system separately to other clean aviation innovators. Last year ZeroAvia opened a 136k sq ft Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, WA to produce these electric propulsion systems.   

The electric propulsion system is one part of the company’s deep portfolio of fuel cell, power electronics and electric motor technology developed thanks to a strong commitment to vertical integration, and ZeroAvia launched a component offering to serve the market for novel electric air transport applications in May 2024. 

[Everett, WA; January 15, 2025] — ZeroAvia, a leader in developing zero-emission propulsion for aviation, has been named on Cleantech Groups 2025 Global Cleantech 100. This annual list, now in its 16th year, showcases the most promising private cleantech companies making significant contributions to sustainable innovation.

The complimentary report will introduce you to the innovators advancing groundbreaking technologies and business models to enable us to act on the ever-increasing climate and environmental crisis.

The cleantech theme is poised for pivotal milestones in 2025 as market forces intensify and innovation accelerates. Continuing trends from 2024, including policy uncertainty, groundbreaking first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects, and the surging demand for climate adaptation technologies, will emphasize the importance of product and project economics.

Companies that capitalize on organic demand—such as the growing needs of data centers—and prove their technologies in real-world environments without relying on favorable policy support, will find themselves in the best position to succeed. Economic viability will be the defining metric of success in 2025.

[Kemble, UK and Everett, WA, USA: October 29, 2024] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PowerCell Group to collaborate on next generation fuel cell technologies. Joint R&D will focus on intermediate and high temperature fuel cells which will open up more energy intensive applications such as large fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.

The two companies have been working together for the last few years, with PowerCell fuel cell stacks forming part of the prototype ZeroAvia powertrains that have powered both of the breakthrough fuel cell flight demonstrators flown by ZeroAvia.

ZeroAvia is designing a bespoke multi-stack balance-of-plant architecture using PowerCell’s low temperature proton exchange membrane (LT-PEM) stacks applicable to aviation applications. As such, the Swedish fuel cell manufacturer is a key supplier for ZeroAvia’s first 600kW powertrain (ZA600) designed for up to 20 seat aircraft.

ZeroAvia’s high temperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEM) stacks – part of the roadmap to delivery of ZA2000 powertrain for 40-80 seat aircraft and a key part of the company’s component offering to other clean flight innovators – are already demonstrating industry record power density in excess of 2.5 kW/kg at the cell level, with a clear pathway to reaching 3+ kW/kg at the system level in the coming months.

Increasing the operating temperature of fuel cell systems can allow for a reduction in cooling and humidification required, simplifying the architecture and improving the amount of power for a given unit of weight.   

The collaboration will leverage PowerCell’s long experience industrializing hydrogen-electric technologies to push advanced fuel cells solutions to high TRL levels. For ZeroAvia, it will provide the opportunity to exploit its technology in different sectors, while retaining its core focus on aerospace.

[Kemble, UK and Everett, WA: October 10th 2024] – ZeroAvia today announced that its HyFlyer II project has been chosen as Project of the Year 2024 by the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). The award celebrates projects funded through the ATI programme that have reached a significant milestone or concluded within the last year.  

The HyFlyer II programme, which ran from December 2020 to November 2023, has created hundreds of jobs, large inward investment and world-first breakthroughs. In Kemble, UK, January, 2023, ZeroAvia showcased the first flight of a retrofitted 19-seater twin-engine Do228 hydrogen-electric testbed.  

The flight testing and system development as part of HyFlyer II has been critical in designing and testing fuel cell and electrical-propulsion systems, establishing greater confidence in the potential for zero-emission flights this decade and leading to what could be the world’s first certified hydrogen-electric engine for commercial aircraft. ZeroAvia has already submitted its application to certify the ZA600, 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft to the CAA.

The project also involved the development of novel high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cells for aviation, exhibiting technology readiness for scaling hydrogen-electric technology for large aircraft. ZeroAvia sees HTPEM fuel cell power generation as key to developing zero-emission propulsion systems for aircraft larger than 20-seats, and the technology is integral to the company’s ZA2000 2-5.4 MW engine for 40-80 seat planes. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers – the only emission is water.  

ZeroAvia’s presence in the UK continues to grow with expansion of its operations, leading testing capabilities, including back-to-back electric propulsion rigs and fuel cell test labs, flight test platforms and hydrogen production at airport as well as associated refuelling infrastructure. 

HyFlyer II has positioned ZeroAvia well to unlock the market for large regional turboprops, regional jets and, ultimately, the narrow-bodied aircraft segment, as well as supporting the growth of the UK supply chain, hydrogen economy and advancing the pathway for manufacturing. ZeroAvia has also launched a component line to support other electric aviation innovators based on the development for its full powertrains, further broadening the market for the technology. 

[Hollister, CA: September 12th 2024] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has extended its Series C financing to a total of $150m, with a £20m investment from Scottish National Investment Bank (“the Bank”) coming alongside recent investments from American Airlines, International Airlines Group (IAG) and ITOCHU Corporation.  

The round was co-led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), with UK Infrastructure Bank joining as a cornerstone-level investor, and with strong support from existing shareholders including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Summa Equity, Alaska Airlines, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and AP Ventures.  

This is the Bank’s first investment in hydrogen-based technology and the sustainable aviation sector and will bolster the burgeoning aerospace supply chain in Scotland as ZeroAvia looks to create a manufacturing facility in the country. 

ZeroAvia has already extensively flight tested a prototype of its first ZA600-engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base and the application for certification is underway with the CAA. The company has also performed advanced ground tests in the US and UK for the key building block technologies for the ZA2000 system, including cryogenic tanks for LH2 and proprietary high-temperature PEM fuel cell and electric propulsion systems. ZA2000 will support up to 80 seat regional turboprop aircraft such as the ATR72 and the Dash 8 400. The company is also selling its component technology, including electric motors and fuel cell power generation systems, to other electric aviation innovators.  

[@Farnborough Airshow: July 26th, 2024] –  Ecojet, the world’s first electric, commercial airline, has signed an agreement to purchase 22 ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engines from the zero emissions innovator ZeroAvia, with options for a further 40 engines. The order takes the world a step closer towards a revolution in aviation with carbon free flights. The ZA2000 engine can be retrofitted into 40-80 seat regional turboprops for zero-emission flight.  

The agreement deepens the commitment announced last November 2023, with a deposit schedule that will ensure Ecojet secures some of the first production slots of ZeroAvia ZA2000 powertrains post certification. 

Ecojet based in Edinburgh is aiming to be the industry’s first fully electric commercial carrier enabling carbon-free living. The airline is aiming to launch services in late 2024 with conventionally powered aircraft, operating routes to and from Edinburgh and retrofitting them once the technology is certified. 

The airline will begin this journey by operating its first zero-emission aircraft with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engines for up to 20 seat planes. Ecojet’s aim is to build a fleet of larger regional aircraft to serve passengers on key domestic and shorter international routes. 

The innovative hydrogen-electric engines work by using hydrogen to generate electricity which then powers propellers to fly the aircraft. 

@Farnborough Airshow — ZeroAvia today announced that it has been awarded £10.5 million in UK Government funding through the ATI strategic programme, to further develop its high temperature fuel cell technology, a promising pathway for delivering zero-emission propulsion systems up to and including narrowbody jets.  

The Advanced Fuel Cell for Aviation Decarbonisation (AFCAD) project will see ZeroAvia collaborate with the University of Kent, Coventry University and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, to advance this crucial technology towards commercialisation. The research will centre on developing components and the full HTPEM stacks and demonstrating previously unmatched levels of specific power and durability.  

AFCAD builds on ZeroAvia’s highly successful HyFlyer I and II ATI projects which delivered breakthrough first flights of hydrogen-electric aircraft and were transformative in establishing greater confidence in the potential for commercial, zero-emission flights this decade.  

During HyFlyer II, ZeroAvia also demonstrated the largest HTPEM stack module for aviation, showing technology readiness for scaling fuel cells into large commercial aircraft. AFCAD will further develop this technology to unlock the market for large regional turboprops, regional jets and, ultimately, narrowbody aircraft, as well as developing the supporting UK supply chain and advancing the pathway for manufacturing. 

ZeroAvia sees HTPEM fuel cell power generation as key to developing zero-emission propulsion systems for aircraft larger than 20-seats, and the technology is integral to the company’s ZA2000 2-5.4 MW engine for 40-80 seat planes.  

[@Farnborough International Airshow: Tuesday 23^rd July, 2023] — ZeroAvia today announced that ASL Aviation Holdings has signed a conditional purchase agreement for up to 20 hydrogen-electric engines for retrofit into its operated fleet of ATR regional turboprop aircraft – creating some of the world’s first zero-emission freight aircraft of this scale.

The firm order of 10 engines, with a further option for up to another 10 and an agreement related to retrofit services, builds on an earlier MOU between the two companies announced in November 2021. ASL Aviation has now committed to paying deposits to secure delivery slots, further expanding ZeroAvia’s total number of delivery slots sold.

Hydrogen-electric engines use fuel cells to convert hydrogen fuel into electricity using an electrochemical reaction. With no combustion of fuel, there are no CO2 or other climate impacting emissions, save for low temperature water vapor. The electricity generated is then used to power electric motors which turn the propellers. Overall, it is estimated that fuel cell systems in aircraft could reduce in-flight emissions by around 90%. The systems will have the added advantage of lower maintenance costs for airline operators.

ZeroAvia has already successfully flown multiple test flights of a prototype 600kW system for 10-20 seat aircraft, with certification work already underway with regulators. The company has also demonstrated consistent technical progress in testing components for its 2-5 MW system (ZA2000) that will ultimately support aircraft within the ATR family, with ASL Airlines currently operating 13 such planes.

Exploring the potential for hydrogen-powered ATR freighter aircraft forms a core part of ASL’s wider ESG strategy, alongside reductions in existing Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions across its eight owned and joint venture airline brands. The company has also developed an industry forum – ASL CargoVision – together with leading new technology companies to raise awareness of innovative new technologies and sustainability for air cargo operations.

[Farnborough, UK – 22 July 2024] – JEKTA, the Switzerland-based developer of the PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft, today announced that it has selected ZeroAvia’s fuel cell power generation system (PGS) technology to demonstrate the concept of a fuel cell variant of its electric amphibious flying boat design, with a view to line-fit of the system as the PHA-ZE 100 variant comes to market.

While battery technology continues evolving, JEKTA is committed to exploring all potential options that will increase the range and payload of its zero-emissions aircraft. Powered by ZeroAvia’s fuel cell PGS, it is anticipated the PHA-ZE 100 will achieve a range of up to 500 or 600km and increase the payload by up to one tonne, adding even more capability to the airframe. Operating and maintenance costs can also be lowered with a hydrogen fuel system supporting a life of up to 20,000 hours. Through close cooperation, JEKTA and ZeroAvia will develop and certify an integrated PGS, including inverters, other electronic components, and a hydrogen tank and fuel system.

[Hollister, CA & Kemble, UK – July 17, 2024] – Clean fuel supplier Ryze today announced that it is partnering with ground-breaking zero-emission aviation firm ZeroAvia to provide hydrogen for use in engine and flight testing at its UK base at Cotswold Airport.

This latest deal further underlines the growing infrastructure in the hydrogen sector, with a raft of deals ensuring regular supply for key transport, mobility and industrial customers.

ZeroAvia, recently named top in Time Magazine’s list of the USA’s leading greentech companies, has a mission of delivering the clean future of flight through zero-emission hydrogen and electric aircraft propulsion technology. The company is focused on hydrogen-electric (fuel cell) engines for commercial aviation as the most environmentally and economically friendly solution for addressing the industry’s climate impact.

As well as flight testing a number of prototypes, including in a 19-seat testbed aircraft over the last 18 months, ZeroAvia has developed a microcosm of the Hydrogen Airport Refueling Ecosystem to support flight testing and developing concepts of operations.

ZeroAvia has signed a hydrogen supply contract with Ryze, ensuring regular deliveries to its UK testing site at Cotswold Airport in Cirencester. This will meet an increased hydrogen demand as the company embarks on extensive ground and flight testing to meet the certification requirements for its ZA600 powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft.

Earlier this year Ryze unveiled partnerships with Vauxhall, to develop hydrogen solutions for fleet operators, and Guardian Glass, to help decarbonise the energy-intensive float glass production process.

Ryze’s state-of-the-art tube trailer fleet, the largest available fleet by capacity in the UK with a variety of specifications and capabilities, will ensure maximum flexibility to support ZeroAvia’s research and testing requirements.

[Hollister, CA & Kemble, UK – July 10, 2024] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has developed revolutionary AI-driven, scalable smart microgrid optimization software which promises to minimize the cost of hydrogen production for clean aviation and other applications.  

Real-world testing of the Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software (SHAIPS) has shown in excess of a 20 percent reduction of the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) compared to an electrolyzer generating all H2 based on the average electricity wholesale price. In order to test the software on real hardware, the company’s advanced software division, based in Silicon Valley, worked with its hydrogen infrastructure team to develop a working sub-scale smart microgrid in California, inclusive of renewable generation (solar), battery storage system, electrolyzers, and gaseous hydrogen storage. 

The hardware testing has validated many of the underlying assumptions in modeled scenarios, proving the applicability of the software for delivering cost-effective and eco-friendly hydrogen production. SHAIPS will allow the producer to set a limit on the carbon intensity of hydrogen production, meaning the hydrogen can qualify for the most generous subsidies in their geography.  

With ZeroAvia’s approach, excess renewable electricity can be stored as hydrogen, in batteries, or sold back to the grid. The system will also draw capacity from the grid for H2 production at periods of low carbon intensity energy and low cost, with the microgrid solar energy preserved in battery storage for use when most economically and environmentally sound.  

Major policy initiatives are already pushing the world towards an era of low-cost hydrogen production. In the U.S. the DOE targets $1 per kg of hydrogen by 2030, and is investing $7 billion in Hydrogen Hubs across the country, while the Inflation Reduction Act established up to $3 per kg of hydrogen as part of a production tax credit. In the EU, mandates now require member states to build hydrogen refueling stations at fixed intervals and a newly established EU Hydrogen Bank will provide projects with fixed premium support.  

[Fort Worth, Texas, and Everett, Washington – July 2, 2024] – American Airlines today announced that it has entered into a conditional purchase agreement with clean aviation innovator ZeroAvia for 100 hydrogen-electric engines intended to power regional jet aircraft with zero inflight emissions save for water vapor.  

In addition, American has increased its investment in ZeroAvia. American made its first investment in ZeroAvia in 2022 and has also now participated in the company’s Series C financing round. The engine agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding the companies announced in 2022. 

ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for commercial aircraft, which offer the potential for close to zero inflight emissions. The company is flight testing a prototype for a 20-seat plane and designing an engine for larger aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, which American operates on certain regional routes.    

[Montreal, Canada, 21 May 2024] – Airbus and ZeroAvia have signed three respective Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canada’s three busiest airports, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to study the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at airports in Canada. The news was announced at a press event which took place at the International Aerospace Innovation Forum, organized by Aéro Montréal.

This is the first time that a feasibility study of this magnitude has taken place in Canada to pioneer hydrogen for aviation, with the three airports. It reflects the partners’ shared ambition to use their respective expertise to support the decarbonisation of the aviation industry (ICAO, ATAG and IATA) and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Air transport is prime in the country because of its wide-spread geography. Not only does it connect to international cities but is also an important means of supplying critical connectivity domestically. Commercial flights in Canada enable the flows of goods, investments, people and ideas that are the fundamental drivers of economic growth. Air transport in Canada is forecast to grow by 51% in the next 20 years under the “current trends” scenario. This would result in an additional 39.8 million passenger journeys by 2037. (Source IATA Economics)

This cooperation will provide better understanding of hydrogen aircraft concepts and operations, supply, infrastructure and refueling needs at airports, with the goal of developing the hydrogen aviation ecosystem across the country. The work will also collaborate to support the development of regulations and standards. Montreal is the home city of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and collaboration is a key driver to support a global framework.

[Hollister, CA: 16 May 2024] – ZeroAvia, the leading developer of zero-emission hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrains, today commended the U.S. Congress’s passage of a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration that includes provisions to advance hydrogen aviation.  The bipartisan bill passed the U.S. Senate on May 9 by a vote of 88-4 and was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 387-26.  

[Everett, WA: April 24, 2024] — ZeroAvia today announced that it will be offering some of its key components designed for its hydrogen-electric engines to other clean aviation innovators. The move allows ZeroAvia to build upon the multi-billion dollar per annum market for its hydrogen-electric powertrain family, maximizing the company’s investment in R&D and its strategy of vertical integration, as well as furthering the company’s impact on reducing environmental harm from aviation. 

With the certification work for the ZA600 engine for up to 20 seat aircraft underway, and the underpinning technology for the ZA2000 engine for up to 90 seat aircraft in advanced development, ZeroAvia has conducted component market research and sees significant opportunity in the following areas:

• Advanced electric motors for aviation, including a 660 kW max-power direct-drive motor capable of speeds up to 2,200 rpm, and the HyperCore 900kW modular motor capable of speeds up to 20,000 rpm.
• Silicon carbide inverters – The 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverter design offers a power density above 20 kW/kg and is available in single (225kW peak / 200kW continuous) and dual (450kW peak / 400kW continuous) configurations.  The inverters are designed and produced following aerospace standards, allowing a high-power density and reduced weight with advanced thermal management technologies and integration to enable reliable high performance for high altitude and engine compartment location.
• Low temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT-PEM) fuel cell configurations (in partnership with PowerCell) – ZeroAvia’s SuperStack Flex architecture is a customizable 100-400kW fuel cell power generation platform designed to meet a range of different aerospace power, performance, and packaging requirements, while maintaining exceptional pressure, mass flow rate, humidity, and temperature control.
• High temperature PEM (HT-PEM) fuel cell stacks and full power generation systems – ZeroAvia’s High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell stack is a turbo-air cooled modular system which offers up to 3.5 kW/kg specific power, supporting a variety of traditional aviation and VTOL applications.
• Aviation fuel cell compressor is a leading-edge compressor capable of supporting up to 900kW fuel cell applications up to 15,000 feet. The compressor is designed specifically for fuel cell applications and designed for aerospace standards from the start.

The company is in active discussions on potential deals with a number of companies working on electric and hydrogen aviation innovations. More detail on the individual component lines offered by ZeroAvia can be found here.  

To facilitate the production of the electric propulsion systems (specifically, power electronics and electric motors) for both its own powertrains and its component offering, ZeroAvia will today open its propulsion center of excellence at Paine Field in Everett, north of Seattle. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, guests will get a glimpse of how the new facility will support manufacture of ZeroAvia’s world-leading electric propulsion systems for aviation in the new 136k sf facility, as well as housing ZeroAvia’s existing R&D operations at Paine Field.

ZeroAvia also plans a separate facility focused on producing hydrogen fuel cell systems – a Hydrogen Center of Excellence – and is currently exploring site selection.

[Kemble, UK & Hollister, CA: April 9th, 2023] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with FEAM Aero surrounding retrofit, maintenance, and technical support.  

With ZeroAvia’s first hydrogen-electric engine design for 9-19 seat aircraft already subject to a certification application to regulators, and with thousands of powertrain pre-orders in place, the company is preparing a network that can support operators in converting their fleets to zero-emission propulsion systems and then provide the required maintenance support.  

As part of the agreement the parties will explore how FEAM Aero’s 50+ locations can support MRO services for operators leveraging ZeroAvia’s technology. FEAM Aero already actively service fleets relevant to ZeroAvia’s second powertrain design for 30-90 seat aircraft, including Dash 8 and CRJ aircraft.  

As part of the agreement, FEAM Aero will explore establishing a green hydrogen production facility  at one of its locations in the Unites States in partnership with ZeroAvia, enabling the support of early retrofit, testing and training.  

[Kemble, UK & Edinburgh, UK: November 28, 2023] — ZeroAvia today announced that it has signed an agreement with newly launched airline Ecojet for up to 70 hydrogen-electric, zero-emission engines.

Ecojet – which aims to become the flag carrier for green Britain – will begin operations in 2024 with conventionally powered aircraft operating routes to and from Edinburgh, before converting its fleet to become what it aims to be the world’s first electric airline. The airline will achieve its goal by retrofitting its aircraft with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engines once certified. Ecojet will be working with MONTE, ZeroAvia’s preferred ZA600 lessor partner, in bringing this groundbreaking technology to market. ZeroAvia is targeting type certification of the ZA600 engine in 2025.

The newly launched airline has also placed a larger order for the more powerful ZA2000 engine, designed for up to 80 seat regional turboprops and with an entry-in-service target of 2027. This will open up the potential to fly aircraft such as the ATR72 and Dash 8 400, already popular on regional routes across the world.

ZeroAvia, Ecojet and MONTE will work together with airports and other industry partners, to identify and finance the first pathways to hydrogen-electric commercial operations. ZeroAvia analysis shows that, if powered by UK wind generated green hydrogen, domestic flights would have lower lifecycle carbon emissions per passenger than any other common mode of transport today, including fully occupied cars, domestic rail and coach travel.