August 4, 2022
World’s Largest Airline to Buy 100
Hydrogen-Electric Powertrains for Green Regional Jets
ZeroAvia is not the only company that’s
developing hydrogen-electric alternative solutions for aviation, but
it’s undoubtedly one of the most successful. The most recent
investment in the company’s motor development project, together with a
huge order, confirms it.
It’s still going to take several
more years, but
ZeroAvia is on track to deliver the first version of its
hydrogen-electric powertrain, the ZA600, capable of powering aircraft
with up to 19 seats for a 300-nautical mile (345 miles/555 km) range.
The company has already signed multiple agreements with important
names in the industry, including Otto Aviation, MONTE, Shell, and
Edmonton International Airports.
The latest to join this list happens to be the largest airline in the
world, American Airlines. American announced not just an investment in
ZeroAvia, but also the signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)
for the purchase of up to 100 hydrogen-electric motors.
It seems that the version that was selected by the American airline
company is the ZA2000-RJ powertrain with a 2 to 5 MW range. This
green powertrain would be integrated into regional jets. Aircraft
equipped with the ZA2000-RJ could start operating by the end of this
decade.
At the moment, ZeroAvia is focusing on the certification process for
its ZA600 powertrain, with a range of up to 300 miles (483 km). Two
Dornier 228 aircraft were retrofitted with the ZA600 and will conduct
test flights in the UK and in California. This hydrogen-electric
powertrain was developed as part of the
HyFlyer II project, which is partially funded by the British
government. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2024.
On the other hand, American is also committed to achieving the climate
targets by 2050. The future integration of these hydrogen-electric
powertrains is just one of the steps it’s taking in that direction, in
addition to purchasing and using SAF (sustainable aviation fuel).
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
Spokane, Washington. 99212
www.exactrix.com
509 995 1879 cell, Pacific.
exactrix@exactrix.com
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