Hydrogen-electric propulsion systems developer ZeroAvia is offering to produce components for other companies working to decarbonize aviation. At the opening event for its new manufacturing facility at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, on April 24, the company said it is looking to market its expertise in making electric motors, silicon carbide inverters, low- and high-temperature proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for fuel cells, and compressors.
According to ZeroAvia, certification work for its 600-kilowatt ZA600 powertrain is now progressing as it prepares to convert 20-seat regional aircraft. At the same time, it is advancing the development of the 2-megawatt ZA2000 engine that will power 90-seaters.
The company said it is in active discussions to support a number of companies working on their own plans for electric- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. “We intend to secure as much market share for commercial aviation propulsion systems as possible as this will enhance our shareholder value and ensure we deliver in tackling climate impact in the sector,” said ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov. “While the market for our powertrains is thousands of engines across commercial aircraft, there will be other applications that are not strategically aligned with our full engine offering, but where our technologies can play a major role in the supply chain for other OEMs.”
In addition to its 136,000-square-foot production line at Everett, in the Seattle area, ZeroAvia is also planning to build a Hydrogen Center of Excellence. The company is now exploring site locations for that facility.
For third-party clients, ZeroAvia is offering to provide a 600-kW direct-drive motor capable of speeds of up to 2,200 rpm, and its HyperCore 900-kW modular motor that can achieve speeds of up to 20,000 rpm. Its inverters will be available in single (225-kW peak/200-kW continuous) or dual (450-kW peak/400-kW). The company said its PEMs can be customized for multiple fixed-wing and vertical-lift fuel cell applications.