On May 12, 2021, Hydrogen Fuel News reported that ZeroAvia had placed an order for H2 fuel cells to use in its 600-kW aircraft powered by hydrogen-electric fuel. ZeroAvia, a producer of alternative aircraft fuel to address the carbon emission problem, is currently developing an airplane that will use the MS-100 fuel cells.

According to records of ZeroAvia's order, its hydrogen-electric plane will use fuel cell systems in the drivetrain of the aircraft currently under development. The fuel cell systems utilize PowerCell Sweden MS-100. ZeroAvia put in the follow-up order for H2 fuel cells for the 600-kW aircraft in early May 2021. The estimated value of the order is $890,000. The company expects delivery of its order sometime during the third quarter of 2021.

ZeroAvia Flies a Commercial Airline Powered by Hydrogen-Electric Fuel

In September 2019, ZeroAvia made history as the first company to launch a flight successfully with an airplane using hydrogen-electric fuel instead of traditional fossil fuel. The six-seat Piper Malibu model airplane contained a single-engine. The small plane also contained an H2 electric powertrain, which enabled it to reach an altitude of 1,000 feet at a speed of 100 knots. The time in the air was eight minutes.

Similarities Between the Piper Malibu Model and the 600-kW Model Under Construction

The Piper Malibu model that ZeroAvia used for its test flight last fall also contained a hydrogen-electric powertrain. The six-seat plane used PowerCell MS-100 fuel cells, just as ZeroAvia intends to do with the aircraft that it is currently developing. By placing a new order for H2 fuel cells, ZeroAvia is committing to using the same system with any future aircraft that it develops.

H2 Fuel Cells Growing in Popularity

Pilots and airline mechanics are paying more attention to H2 fuel cells now than they ever have. Currently, aviation industry experts are conducting tests to help create decarbonizing fuel to reduce the level of pollution created by airplanes. Other organizations outside the aviation industry have also taken an interest in zero-emission fuel to help speed progress toward reduced carbon emissions. The increased interest in alternative solutions for traditional fuel coincides with a larger worldwide initiative to tackle climate change.

ZeroAvia has attracted worldwide attention by conducting test flights powered only by hydrogen-electric fuel. The company is leading the way toward becoming a world leader in pollution control across the aerospace industry.

About ZeroAvia

Val Miftakhov founded ZeroAvia in 2017 and continues to serve as its CEO. The company has a presence in the United Kingdom in Cranfield, England, and the United States in California.

Before launching ZeroAvia, Miftakhov founded eMotorWorks, a startup that provided batteries for electric vehicles. After selling eMotorWorks to an international energy conglomerate, Miftakhov saw an opportunity to transform the aviation industry by making airplanes run on electric power rather than traditional fuel.

As a licensed pilot, Val Miftakhov saw the launching of ZeroAvia as a way to return to flying while also working on significant changes that would positively impact the industry and environment.

ZeroAvia was one of the first aviation companies in the world to commit to responsible environmental stewardship. The most significant way to achieve this goal is by creating and flying the world's first airplane with a hydrogen-electric powertrain. The company's creation has already achieved success by dramatically lowering carbon emissions and reducing the loud sounds of airplanes that contribute to noise pollution. Yet another achievement by ZeroAvia was lowering overall fuel and maintenance costs for some of the world's largest airlines.

Miftakhov notes that ZeroAvia has been fortunate to receive the support of several investors. For example, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) delivered the fueling systems required for test flights and airport infrastructure design. EMEC completed this action in support of the HyFlyer 1 project by ZeroAvia.

The company intends to make continual progress to its HyFlyer 2 project. The HyFlyer 2 will carry more passengers than HyFlyer 1 and have the ability to fly up to 500 nautical miles within the next several years. ZeroAvia has also established a goal to fly up to 1,000 nautical miles and transport up to 100 passengers by 2030.

The United Kingdom government provided ZeroAvia with a funding grant worth $16.3 million after it had already received $21.4 million in Series A funding. The U.K. government grant was in coordination with the Aerospace Technology Institute. ZeroAvia has raised a total of $49.7 million since its inception in 2017, intending to bring hydrogen fuel cells to the market by 2023.

Demand for ZeroAvia's services has increased over the past few years for some key reasons. Like many industries, the aviation industry suffered significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and required additional resources to help it become profitable again.

There is also the reality that travelers are moving away from airline travel in favor of more sustainable alternatives. ZeroAvia fills an unmet need for carbon-free transportation, and industry analysts predict that the demand will only continue to grow. British Airways has already signed on as a customer of ZeroAvia and is confident that the company can help it reach its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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