ZeroAvia, which has research and development facilities about two hours outside the UK capital of the Cotswolds, assembles and develops fuel cell systems, integrates hydrogen-electric engines into aircraft and tests them in the air.
It’s all part of an effort to decarbonize aviation using hydrogen, which earned ZeroAvia a spot on Time magazine’s list of top “green tech” companies.
ZeroAvia chief strategist James McMicking spoke to CNBC Tech: The Verge.
During CNBC’s visit, a Dornier 228 was on display in the hangar. Also in the hangar is a 19-passenger Cessna Caravan, which will be powered by ZeroAvia’s first certified hydrogen engine.
In addition to its facilities in rural England, ZeroAvia also has a fuel cell research laboratory in Kent, southeast England. The company, which also develops applied technology and engineering in California and has a manufacturing facility in Washington state, is retrofitting a 76-seat Alaska Airlines Dash 8 aircraft with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system.
The hydrogen engine maker, which has operations in the United States and the United Kingdom, is seeking certification for its products from regulators in both countries.
“Currently, ZeroAvia is undergoing the certification process with two regulatory agencies: the British CAA and the U.S. FAA. We are certifying the electric propulsion system to the FAA and the entire engine to the CAA,” McMeekin said.
Founded in 2017, ZeroAvia has received investments from companies including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Currently, it is preparing for commercialization.
“Our first commercial products will be launched in 2025. In 2027/2028 we expect to be able to power larger regional turboprops. Then, later in the decade, in the 2030s, we will start to move into Jet realm space,” McMeekin said.
The company is one of the leaders in hydrogen aviation, but hydrogen engine technology has attracted the attention of many airlines and aerospace companies. Airbus has revealed plans to launch a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft in 2035, while easyJet and Rolls-Royce conducted ground tests of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft engines in 2022.
Watch the CNBC Tech: The Edge video above for a tour of ZeroAvia’s factory in the Cotswolds.
