ZeroAvia just shared that they've made a deal to sell their 600kW electric propulsion system to Jetcruzer International. This is for testing out electric flights to refine their Jetcruzer 500E design. They're planning to deliver the EPS development unit later this year.
ZeroAvia has racked up over 2,000 pre-orders for its hydrogen-electric powertrains from commercial airlines. Last year, they also rolled out a new component offering aimed at the market for innovative electric air transport applications.
ZeroAvia's 600kW electric power system just got a thumbs-up from the FAA with a G-1 issue paper detailing its certification process. This setup features ZeroAvia's own inverter and electric motor tech, making it a super-efficient electric engine with great fault tolerance and power. The 600kW system uses four of ZeroAvia's 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverters to switch DC power to AC, powering their direct drive motor that can hit 2,200 rpm.
ZeroAvia just set up a huge 136,000 sq ft Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, WA. They're going to make electric propulsion systems there for their hydrogen-electric powertrains and aircraft makers like Jetcruzer.
Jetcruzer International is working on the Jetcruzer 500E, a six-seat hydrogen-electric aircraft, aiming for service entry in 2028, with the 1250E to follow in 2030. ZeroAvia’s EPS system will be incorporated into flight tests using a redesigned and rebuilt Jetcruzer 500 as a test platform for the new electric aircraft. Initially designed in the 1990s as an affordable air transport solution, the Jetcruzer 500 achieved significant FAA certification milestones but was never produced. Jetcruzer International acquired the intellectual property in 2017 and has since focused on promoting a new era of sustainable aviation.
The Jetcruzer 500E is poised to be among the first aircraft with a type certificate to achieve successful flight using an all-electric propulsion system. This partnership with ZeroAvia highlights Jetcruzer International's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
“It is exciting that our first sale of the 600kW EPS as a standalone unit will support a project with simultaneously a rich history and a bright future. Our commitment to deep vertical integration in the development of our full powertrain technology is paying off as we have amassed a range of IP and a portfolio of valuable fuel cell and electric propulsion components that have a strong market in their own right,” said Sergey Kiselev, Chief Business Officer, ZeroAvia.
Victor Tao, Chief Executive Officer, JetCruzer International, explained “Sustainable aviation is the future, and we are thrilled to take a leadership role in advancing this vision. The electrification of the Jetcruzer 500E represents a bold step forward in reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the high performance and efficiency our customers expect. Partnering with ZeroAvia, a proven leader in zero-emission propulsion technology, reinforces our commitment to pioneering clean aviation solutions.”
“We are excited to embark on this journey with ZeroAvia, a company that has demonstrated remarkable expertise in sustainable aviation technology. Their cutting-edge electric propulsion solutions align perfectly with our vision, and we look forward to working closely with them throughout this process,” Tao added.
As the aviation sector progresses towards eco-friendly solutions, the Jetcruzer 500E exemplifies the potential achievable when industry leaders unite with a common dedication to sustainability.
ZeroAvia has already extensively tested a prototype of the ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. The company has also performed advanced ground tests for the key building block technologies for the ZA2000 system for 40-80 seat aircraft, including proprietary high-temperature PEM fuel cells and electric motor designs.
ZeroAvia is at the forefront of transitioning to a sustainable aviation future by creating electric propulsion technologies that promise reduced costs and emissions, cleaner air, less noise, energy independence, and enhanced connectivity. The company is developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for existing commercial aircraft and providing hydrogen and electric propulsion components for innovative electric air transport solutions, including battery, hybrid, and fuel cell-powered fixed-wing aircraft, novel eVTOL designs, rotorcraft, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. ZeroAvia has submitted its first complete engine for planes with up to 20 seats for certification and is developing a larger powertrain for 40–80 seat aircraft, achieving significant flight test and regulatory milestones with the U.S. FAA and UK CAA.
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