ZeroAvia, a clean aviation company, held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington. The event was attended by various leaders including U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov, Gov. Jay Inslee, and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene. The company announced it will be selling components of its hydrogen-electric airplane engines to other commercial companies.
Although ZeroAvia is based in California and the United Kingdom, it has strong ties to the Pacific Northwest. The company established research and development operations at Everett’s Paine Field two years ago. CEO Val Miftakhov had previously hinted that the Seattle region would be chosen for its manufacturing site, which is now known as the Propulsion Center of Excellence.
ZeroAvia’s product line will include hydrogen fuel cells, power electronics, compressors, and advanced electric motors, providing companies the option to purchase full engines or individual components. CEO Miftakhov stated the company’s goal is to secure a significant market share in commercial aviation propulsion systems to improve shareholder value while addressing climate impact in the sector.
The company is currently pursuing certification for its ZA600 engine, designed for 20-seat aircraft, and is developing the ZA2000 engine for aircraft with up to 90 seats. Major investors in ZeroAvia include Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund. ZeroAvia has a partnership with Alaska Airlines, another investor, and the company has provided a retired plane for testing its hydrogen-powered electric propulsion system.
The aviation industry is challenging to decarbonize, contributing 2.5% of greenhouse gas emissions annually. With other sectors moving towards low-carbon solutions and air travel on the rise, finding sustainable solutions for aviation is crucial. Alongside hydrogen and battery-powered flight, sustainable aviation fuels are seen as a potential climate-friendly solution for air transportation.
ZeroAvia is also planning to construct a facility for producing hydrogen fuel cell systems and is currently searching for a suitable location. The company’s commitment to advancing clean aviation technology and its strong partnerships in the industry position it as a leader in sustainable aviation solutions. With the support of investors and collaborations with airline partners, ZeroAvia aims to make significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of the aviation sector.
