As well as flight testing a number of prototypes, including in a 19-seat testbed aircraft over the last 18 months, ZeroAvia has developed a microcosm of the Hydrogen Airport Refuelling Ecosystem to support flight testing and developing concepts of operations.
ZeroAvia has signed a hydrogen supply contract with Ryze, ensuring regular deliveries to its UK testing site at Cotswold Airport in Cirencester. This will meet an increased hydrogen demand as the company embarks on extensive ground and flight testing to meet the certification requirements for its ZA600 powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft.
Earlier this year Ryze unveiled partnerships with Vauxhall, to develop hydrogen solutions for fleet operators, and Guardian Glass, to help decarbonise the energy-intensive float glass production process.
Ryze’s state-of-the-art tube trailer fleet, the largest available fleet by capacity in the UK, will ensure maximum flexibility to support ZeroAvia’s research and testing requirements, the partners said.
Sergey Kiselev, chief business officer, ZeroAvia said: “Supply of cost-effective, clean hydrogen is integral in meeting our ambitions for unlocking zero-emission flight, and this partnership with Ryze will help us advance our testing and journey to certification.”
ZeroAvia’s team of over 300 employees is focused on hydrogen-electric propulsion and fuelling solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting a 300-mile range in up to 20 seat aircraft within the next couple of years, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027.
In 2023, more than 6.7 million flights departed from European airports, emitting a total of 164.85 metric tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent to the emissions of 80 million petrol cars in one year and a 13% rise in CO2 emissions compared to the previous year.
