ZeroAvia

Based in both the UK and the US, ZeroAvia develops hydrogen-based, zero-emission aviation solutions with an initial focus on 10 - 20 seat fixed-wing aircraft with a 500-mile range designed for passenger and cargo transport and agriculture. The company expects to launch its first commercial aircraft by 2025. In August 2021, ZeroAvia partnered with Octopus Hydrogen to purchase green hydrogen to power its aircrafts.

ZeroAvia also envisions developing four larger and more powerful hydrogen powertrains in the future, namely, 1) 40–80 seat model by 2027 , 2) a 100–200 seat model covering a 2,000-mile range by 2030, 3) a 200+ seat model covering a 2,000-mile range by 2035, and 4) a 200+ seat model covering a 5,000-mile range by 2040.

The company has obtained approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test its prototype aircraft. Since 2019, the company has completed several test flights in California assessing its initial powertrain design. In September 2020, the company tested its prototype aircraft at its research facility in Cranefield, UK, marking the first hydrogen fuel cell powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. In September 2021, ZeroAvia chose Hyzon Motors to supply fuel cell stack systems to two of its prototype aircraft.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2021 , ZeroAvia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to develop hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for regional jet applications. The company also partnered with Alaska Airlines and Royal Schiphol Group (a Dutch airports operator) to develop hydrogen-powered aircrafts. ZeroAvia collaborated with Edmonton International Airport (EIA), to develop hydrogen infrastructure at Canadian airport sites. Other partners include ASL Aviation, HAL, Rose Cay , De Havilland Canada , ZEV Station , Shell , Otto Aviation , Ravn Alaska , American Airlines , The Red Sea Development Company and Textron Aviation .

In October 2022, ZeroAvia acquired a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell provider for air transportation, HyPoint . The acquisition was announced on the heels of ZeroAvia’s agreement with PowerCell, a Swedish hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems developer, to deliver 5,000 low-temperature proton-exchange-membrane (LTPEM) fuel cell stacks with deliveries beginning in 2024, following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between ZeroAvia and PowerCell in July 2022 .

Funding and Financials

ZeroAvia’s most recent funding was in July 2022 , when it raised USD 30 million as the second tranche of its Series B funding round led by existing investor International Airlines Group (IAG). Previously, in December 2021, the company raised USD 35 million as the first tranche of its Series B funding round led by Alaska Group Air and United Airlines. In December 2020, the company raised USD 21.4 million as the first tranche of its Series A round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund. Then, in March 2021, the company raised USD 24.3 million as the second tranche of its Series A round led by Horizons Ventures. The proceeds are expected to be used to fast-track the development of its hydrogen-electric engine for 50+ seat aircraft and to support commercial airline initiatives to increase adoption of hydrogen technology in aviation. The company also received a GBP 12.3 million (USD 16.3 million) grant from the UK government in December 2020 to develop a 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft by 2023.