Boeing-backed Evio Launches Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

Boeing-backed start-up Evio emerged from stealth today with the unveiling of its planned hybrid-electric regional airplane, the Evio 810, a clean-sheet design that the company aims to bring to market in the early 2030s.

Evio, which was founded in 2019 and has operations in the U.S. and Canada, claims to have secured pre-orders for 450 Evio 810 aircraft so far. According to the company, two unspecified “major” airlines signed conditional purchase agreements in 2023 for a combined total of 250 Evio 810s, with options for another 200 units. 

In addition to the 76-seat passenger airliner, the company intends to offer the Evio 810 for cargo and defense applications. While Boeing has provided an undisclosed sum of funding and technical support for the program, turboprop engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada is working with Evio to develop the aircraft’s hybrid-electric propulsion system.

“We will leverage the proven performance and unmatched reliability of the PT6E engine, as well as our decades of experience in propulsion technology innovation and systems integration, to unlock new possibilities for aircraft fuel efficiency and mission versatility,” Scott McElvaine, v-p of sales and marketing for Pratt & Whitney Canada, said of the Evio collaboration. 

Evio has not yet revealed a targeted range or other specifications for the Evio 810, but the company says the aircraft will be optimized for fully electric operations on short-haul flights. Digital renderings show a four-engine turboprop with a T-shaped tail. 

“From day one, our focus has been on increasing profitability for regional operators and providing an exceptional passenger experience,” said Evio CEO Michael Derman. “We’ve recognized early on that a strong-hybrid architecture can provide unmatched efficiencies for airlines, helping them sustain vibrant regional networks in a cost-effective, responsible way.”

While a handful of other aircraft manufacturers have also announced plans to introduce clean-sheet, hybrid-electric regional airliners, the Evio 810 would be among the largest in its class. Most are targeting the 19- to 30-seat range. Maeve, a Dutch company developing an 80-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner called M80, is also collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada on its propulsion system.