ZA600
Zero-emission engine for up to 20
seat aircraft
Advancing hydrogen-electric regional aviation
The ZA600 combines advanced fuel cell and electric propulsion technologies in an integrated powertrain for regional aircraft.
For regional aircraft operators,
the ZA600 can enable:
Zero-emission flight and fuel
Tackling 95% of climate change impact: clean hydrogen in fuel cells generating electricity to power electric motors
Lower and more stable fuel costs
Green hydrogen cost set to be lower than jet kerosene and SAF; fuel cell systems offer more energy efficient use of fuel
Significantly lower maintenance cost
ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain promises significant extension of flight hours between major servicing events
Reduced noise and air pollution
Removing the noise and exhaust of combustion engines to reduce disruption and air quality impacts on communities close to airports
Green Regional Flight
The ZA600 is a 600kW continuous hydrogen-electric powertrain for fixed-wing platforms
Providing efficient, clean and quiet propulsion for the future of regional air mobility
Fueled by gaseous hydrogen tanks and capable of carrying passengers up to 300 NM.
How do hydrogen-electric powertrains work?
State-of-the-art fuel cell and electric motor technology combine to create an unparalleled aircraft engine with improved operating economics and zero-emissions
Gaseous hydrogen stored onboard in lightweight tanks to feed fuel cell systems and generate electricity
Electricity used to power electric motors, which turn propulsors to generate thrust
Typical Airframes for ZA600
Comparison
| ZA600 | Turbine Engine | |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion system typev | Fuel Cell and Electric Motor | Internal combustion |
| Shaft horsepower, kW | 500-750 kW | 500-750 kW |
| Overall system efficiency | 50-60% at FC level1 | PT6A-114A is 15-20% efficient2 |
| Maintenance overhaul interval | 10,000 hours3 | ~3,600-8,000 hours4 |
| Fuel consumption per hour, kg | 25-30 kg5 | C208B is 165 kg/FH at 250 nm6 |
| Direct CO2 emissions per hour 7 | Nil | 3.16 kgC02/kgJA1 (ICAO 2017) with above figures is 470-540 kg/hr8 |
| NOx emissions7 | Nil | 4.4gNOx/kg9 |
| Contrails 7 | 60-80% reduction | No mitigation |
Hydrogen-electric is the best option
for long-term transition to clean aviation
| Reduction in climate impact | Scalability | Net Impact | Key Challenge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct CO2 | NOx | Water vapour & contrails | ||||
| H2-electric |  | |  | | | Weight of the powertrain Higher volume fuel tanks required |
| H2 Combustion | |  | | |  | Higher non-CO2 climate impact than fossil fuels Even higher volume fuel tanks required |
| Sustainable aviation fuels |  | | | |  | Bio feedstock sustainability High cost of synthetic fuels Same in-flight emissions |
| Battery electric | | | | |  | Weight of battery precludes large aircraft use Frequent replacement |
| Hybrid-electric | | | | | | Small incremental impact (10-20% max) on both economics and climate |
Comprehensive Moderate Limited
The Hydrogen-Electric Cessna Grand Caravan White Paper
Learn more about how ZeroAvia’s 600kW, ZA600 engine can support the Cessna Grand Caravan. The White Paper includes a technical overview, route analysis, and information on emissions savings, operating cost savings, retrofit and maintenance. We also explore hydrogen fuel production and airport refueling.
News on ZeroAvia Flight Testing Program
We have retrofit our prototype ZA600 engine to power the left side propeller of our Dornier 228. We’ll use this page to share the latest updates from the flight test program, including photos and videos from flights, as well as behind the scenes content.