ZeroAvia

Based in the UK and US, ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-based, zero-emission aviation solutions with an initial focus on 9–19 seat, 300 mile range fixed-wing aircraft for passenger, cargo, and agricultural transport. The company expects to launch its first commercial aircraft by 2025.

ZeroAvia also plans to develop four larger and more powerful hydrogen-powered aircraft in the future: 1) a 40–80 seat model with a 700 mile range by 2027, 2) a 100–200 seat model with a 2,000 mile range by 2030, 3) a 200+ seat model with a 2,000 mile range by 2035, and 4) a 200+ seat model with a 5,000 mile range by 2040.

The company has received 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 to evaluate its initial powertrain design. In September 2020, the company tested its prototype aircraft at its research facility in Cranefield, UK, marking the first flight of a commercial aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells. In September 2021, ZeroAvia selected Hyzon Motors to supply fuel cell stack systems for two of its prototype aircraft.

In August 2023, the company reported that it had developed the world's first high-performance compressor capable of supporting up to 900 kW of fuel cell systems for fuel cell-based aircraft propulsion. The company plans to begin certification testing of the compressor in 2024 and then integrate it into its first two hydrogen-electric engines. In April 2024, ZeroAvia reported plans to offer several of its key components for hydrogen-electric engines to other aviation companies and also opened a propulsion center of excellence at Paine Field in Everett near Seattle.

Key customers and partnerships

In January 2024, ZeroAvia received a conditional order from MEHAIR for up to 20 ZA600 engines.

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 airport operator) to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft. 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 HyPoint, a provider of next-generation hydrogen fuel cells for air transportation. The acquisition was announced on the heels of ZeroAvia’s agreement with PowerCell, a Swedish developer of hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems, to supply 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. In May 2023, the company announced that it was exploring the establishment of a hydrogen production and refueling facility at the Birmingham Airport (BHX). In August 2023, ZeroAvia partnered with the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) to explore the production and supply of hydrogen at key locations. In November 2023, ZeroAvia partnered with Ecojet to convert upto 70 of their aircraft to hydrogen-electric power using ZeroAvia's technologies. During the same month, the company partnered with Japan Airlines and JAL Engineering to explore the development of hydrogen-electric engines to operate on regional routes.

In January 2024, ZeroAvia partnered with ScottishPower to provide a low-carbon hydrogen supply at key airport locations. In the same month, the company signed a MoU with Verne to explore opportunities for the use of cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) on board aircraft and for CcH2 refueling from gaseous hydrogen (GH2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) sources. In February 2024, ZeroAiva partnered with flyv to explore the use of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines in flyv's operations. That same month, the company partnered with the UK Civil Aviation Authority as part of the Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox to increase regulatory readiness, reduce risk of failure, and improve collaboration in the deployment of hydrogen propulsion technologies and fuels. in April 2024, ZeroAvia partnered with FEAM Aero to explore how FEAM Aero’s 50+ locations can provide maintenance, repair, and operations services for companies using ZeroAvia’s technology.

Funding and Financials

ZeroAvia’s most recent funding was in January 2024, when the company secured USD 3.25 million from the California Energy Commission's Gas R&D Program to develop a first-of-its-kind mobile liquid hydrogen (LH2) fueling truck for heavy-duty applications.

Previously, in November 2023, the company raised USD 116 million in a Series C funding round co-led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, and NEOM Investment Fund (NIF). The company intended to use the funds toward the certification of its first engines and further R&D to improve its propulsion technology for larger aircraft. In September 2023, ZeroAvia completed an undisclosed funding round that was led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, and NEOM. The company intended to use the funds to advance the certification of its first hydrogen-electric engine, the “ZA600.” In July 2022, ZeroAvia raised USD 30 million in the second tranche of its Series B funding round led by existing investor International Airlines Group (IAG).