California Start-up ZeroAvia Plans Hydrogen-Fuelled, Zero-eEmissions Commercial Flights by 2022

(GreenAir Online) Silicon Valley start-up ZeroAvia claims its hydrogen-fuelled electric powertrain could be ready for zero-emission, 500-mile commercial regional flights capable of carrying 10 to 20 passengers by the early part of the next decade. The company, founded by cleantech entrepreneur and pilot Val Miftakhov, has already started flight testing its powertrain prototype on a Piper M-Class airframe following experimental R&D certification by the FAA earlier this year. At a 2-ton take-off weight and six seats in a business class arrangement, ZeroAvia says it is currently the world’s largest zero-emission aircraft flying without any fossil fuel support. From 2022, the company plans to lease the hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain through a power-by-the-hour arrangement to commercial operators purchasing new aircraft supplied by established manufacturers.

“With land transport rapidly decarbonising, fast-growing air transport is quickly becoming the leading emission source, so we must find ways to make aviation more sustainable,” said Miftakhov.

Making up nearly half of commercial flights worldwide, ZeroAvia is initially targeting 500-mile flights to serve the short-haul and commuter air travel markets.

“Using hydrogen produced from local renewable energy is the most practical way to enable zero-emission aircraft of commercially meaningful size on traditional 300 to 500-mile regional missions,” believes Miftakhov.

He said it would also be more economical than conventional turbine engines – or even battery-based systems – on a total cost basis. “We calculate the total costs of operating a ZeroAvia aircraft to be close to half of what it costs to fly a conventional turbine aircraft, due to lower fuel input costs, higher powertrain efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.” READ MORE includes VIDEO