Ecojet and ZeroAvia aim for new era of zero-emission flights
Image courtesy ZeroAvia
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 - co-founded by green industrialist Dale Vince - 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.
Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia, said: “We really love what the team are doing at Ecojet. Dale speaks powerfully on the future ubiquity of renewable power and is already helping to make that a reality in the UK. Hydrogen-electric aviation can be a big part of that journey, opening up low-cost, efficient and safe true zero-emission transport between UK destinations like never before.”
Dale Vince, founder of Ecojet, said: “Ecojet, the world’s first electric airline is on a mission to make net-zero, emission-free air travel possible for the first time. We’ve moved one step closer by signing an agreement to purchase 22 hydrogen electric engines from ZeroAvia. This is nothing short of a revolution in aviation, the world has just moved a step closer towards a solution to sustainable air travel.”
ZeroAvia has already extensively tested a prototype of its first ZA600-engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base. 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 or 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 or the Dash 8 400.
