Ecojet – an electric, commercial airline – has signed an agreement to purchase 22 ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia, with options for a further 40 engines. The ZA2000 engine can be retrofitted into 40-80 seat regional turboprops for zero-emission flight.
“The agreement deepens the commitment announced last November 2023, with a deposit schedule that will ensure Ecojet secures some of the first production slots of ZeroAvia ZA2000 powertrains post certification,” said the companies in a press release.
“Ecojet based in Edinburgh is aiming to be the industry’s first fully electric commercial carrier enabling carbon-free living. The airline is aiming to launch services in late 2024 with conventionally powered aircraft, operating routes to and from Edinburgh and retrofitting them once the technology is certified. The airline will begin this journey by operating its first zero-emission aircraft with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engines for up to 20 seat planes. Ecojet’s aim is to build a fleet of larger regional aircraft to serve passengers on key domestic and shorter international routes.
“The innovative hydrogen-electric engines work by using hydrogen to generate electricity which then powers propellers to fly the aircraft.
“ZeroAvia has already extensively tested a prototype of its first ZA600-engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base. The company has also performed advanced ground tests in the US and UK for the key building block technologies for the ZA2000 system, including cryogenic tanks or LH2 and proprietary high-temperature PEM fuel cell and electric propulsion systems. ZA2000 will support up to 80 seat regional turboprop aircraft such as the ATR72 or the Dash 8 400.”
For more information
https://zeroavia.com/zeroavia-engines-to-power-ecojet/