ZeroAvia, a company at the forefront of hydrogen-electric aviation, has unveiled plans to offer key components of its hydrogen-electric engines to other innovators in the clean aviation sector. This strategic move is aimed at leveraging the growing multi-billion dollar market for hydrogen-electric powertrain systems, while maximizing ZeroAvia’s investment in research and development and its vertical integration strategy. Moreover, it is a testament to the company’s commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of aviation.
With the certification process for the ZA600 engine designed for aircraft with up to 20 seats underway and the advanced development of the underpinning technology for the ZA2000 engine intended for aircraft with up to 90 seats, ZeroAvia has conducted thorough market research and identified significant opportunities in the supply of components such as electric propulsion systems and hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company is actively engaged in discussions with several companies involved in electric and hydrogen aviation innovations to explore potential collaborations.
To facilitate the production of electric propulsion systems, including power electronics and electric motors, for both its powertrains and the component offering, ZeroAvia has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art facility will support the production of ZeroAvia’s world-leading electric propulsion systems for aviation in a spacious area. It will also house ZeroAvia’s existing research and development operations at Paine Field. Additionally, ZeroAvia intends to establish a dedicated facility focused on the production of hydrogen fuel cell systems, which will serve as a Hydrogen Center of Excellence. The company is currently evaluating potential locations for this facility.
Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s plans: “Today, we are outlining our comprehensive strategy to bring our engines to market for commercial aircraft while also pursuing the additional market potential presented by the components derived from our pursuit of innovative fuel cell and electric propulsion technologies. Our goal is to capture as much market share as possible for commercial aviation propulsion systems, which will enhance shareholder value and ensure we deliver on our mission to tackle climate impact in the sector. While the market for our powertrains encompasses thousands of engines across commercial aircraft, there will be other applications that are not strategically aligned with our full engine offering, but where our technologies can play a significant role in the supply chain for other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
He added: “With the opening of this new facility today, we are also showcasing ZeroAvia’s remarkable growth trajectory from an ambitious startup to a clean aerospace manufacturing powerhouse, with a production site officially inaugurated in the United States. The future of clean flight is promising, and ZeroAvia is excited to be leading the charge towards a more sustainable aviation industry.”
Governor Jay Inslee, a strong advocate for clean energy, emphasized the significance of ZeroAvia’s efforts: “This opening marks another milestone in Washington’s long history at the forefront of aviation and aerospace innovation. The transition to clean fuels is not only essential to combating climate change and its devastating health impacts, but it also ensures continued economic dynamism well into the future.”
Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), a champion of clean energy initiatives, expressed her support for ZeroAvia’s endeavors: “The hydrogen fuel-cell engines that ZeroAvia will begin producing in Washington are a major step towards decarbonizing the aviation sector. Our state is a leader in clean energy, making it the ideal hub for this technological advancement. I am thrilled by ZeroAvia’s new milestone, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as they harness the power of hydrogen to revolutionize the aviation industry.”
ZeroAvia is committed to delivering a clean future of flight for the entire aviation industry through the adoption of electric propulsion. With a primary focus on developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines, ZeroAvia has submitted its first powertrain capable of powering aircraft with up to 20 seats for certification, targeting the end of 2025. Concurrently, the company is working on a larger powertrain for aircraft with 30 to 90 seats, aiming for completion by 2027.
Since its inception in 2017, ZeroAvia has established thriving teams in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The company has secured experimental certificates to test its engines in three separate testbed aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and has achieved significant flight test milestones. ZeroAvia has forged key engineering partnerships with major aircraft OEMs and has garnered nearly 2,000 pre-orders for engines from several leading global airlines, with future revenue potential exceeding $8 billion.
For more information, visit ZeroAvia’s website, follow @ZeroAvia on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, or contact the media team at press@zeroavia.com.
