Sustainability In The Air How ZeroAvia is leading aviation’s transition to hydrogen-electric propulsion
In this episode, we speak with Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia, who shares how the clean propulsion systems company is championing hydrogen-electric engines that could transform commercial aviation.
Miftakhov discusses:
- ZeroAvia’s vertical integration strategy for developing in-house fuel cells, power electronics, and motors.
- The company’s global expansion with Centres of Excellence in Seattle for electric propulsion systems, Kemble for aircraft integration, and the newly announced Glasgow facility for hydrogen fuel cells.
- Major commercial traction with 3,000 engines ordered worth $10 billion and another 5,000 in the pipeline, representing up to 8% of the global commercial engine market, with customers including American Airlines and backing from Airbus as lead investor.
- The certification milestone of achieving G1 approval from the FAA for their 600-kilowatt engine, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2027 for 10-20 seat aircraft, followed by larger regional aircraft in the early 2030s.
- ZeroAvia’s liquid hydrogen developments for longer-range aircraft, including plans to eliminate contrail formation by condensing water vapour at altitude and releasing it as ice below the typical contrail formation zone.
Miftakhov also explains why he believes sustainable aviation fuel is ultimately a transition technology, arguing that hydrogen offers superior economics by avoiding the energy-intensive processes required to create synthetic fuels whilst delivering three times better efficiency through fuel cells versus combustion engines.
If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Elysian Aircraft, who shares the startup’s unique approach to electric aviation. Check it out here.
Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.
Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.
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