ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia has not confirmed how much its latest funding round has raised for plans to convert existing aircraft to use its fuel cell electric propulsion systems.

The company says the technology will support aircraft fuel cell-based powertrains with power ratings of up to 900 kW.

Having flown its hydrogen-powered Dornier 228 airplane 10 times, ZeroAvia says it has wrapped up its initial flight test campaign and is now preparing for its first cross-country flights.

Monte Aircraft Leasing has now fully committed to purchasing up to 100 of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen fuel cell powertrains to turn its fleet of nine- to 19-seat regional turboprops into more sustainable, hydrogen-powered aircraft. 

With a 3.8-ton payload and range of up to 900 nm, the Kona is the smallest member of a planned family of autonomous freighters.

The former Horizon Air regional airliner will be fitted with ZeroAvia's ZA2000 powertrain, which combines fuel cells with electric motors to run on liquid hydrogen.

On-airport hydrogen infrastructure can support not only aircraft refueling, but complementary traffic from heavy-duty transportation, materials handling equipment, and other energy consuming systems.

ZeroAvia says it has achieved record-breaking performance while testing the high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) systems in its hydrogen fuel cells.

The hydrogen propulsion system developer is working with energy group Shell and Rotterdam The Hague Airport to prepare for initial demonstration flights with a regional airliner in 2024, followed by operations with fare-paying passengers in 2025.

A 19-seat Dornier 228 aircraft with one of its turboprop engines replaced by the company's fuel-cell-based powertrain made a 10-minute flight on January 19 from Kemble Airport in the UK.