Clean aviation company ZeroAvia recently celebrated the opening of its new 136,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington, where it will be selling components of its hydrogen-electric airplane engines to other commercial companies. The company, which is based in California and the United Kingdom, established research and development operations in Everett’s Paine Field two years ago. ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov had hinted in a previous interview that the Seattle region would be chosen for its manufacturing site, which is now known as the Propulsion Center of Excellence.
The ribbon-cutting event at the new facility was attended by local Washington leaders, including Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene. ZeroAvia’s product line will include hydrogen fuel cells, power electronics, compressors, and advanced electric motors, giving companies the option to purchase full engines or individual components. The company is working on certifying its ZA600 engine for 20-seat aircraft, as well as developing the ZA2000 engine for aircraft with up to 90 seats.
ZeroAvia has strong financial backing, with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures as its largest shareholder and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund also investing in the company. The clean aviation company has a partnership with Washington-based Alaska Airlines, another investor, and has retrofitted a retired plane from the airline with its hydrogen-powered electric propulsion system. ZeroAvia’s goal is to secure market share for commercial aviation propulsion systems to address climate impacts in the sector.
Aviation is a challenging industry to decarbonize, as it currently contributes 2.5% of greenhouse gas emissions annually and that percentage is expected to increase as air travel grows. In addition to hydrogen and battery-powered flight, sustainable aviation fuels are also seen as a potential climate-friendly solution for air transportation. ZeroAvia is planning to build a facility for producing hydrogen fuel cell systems and is searching for a suitable site for this operation.
ZeroAvia’s commitment to clean aviation technology and reducing the environmental impact of air travel has garnered support from both investors and industry partners. The company’s focus on hydrogen-electric airplane engines and components, as well as its plans for future production facilities, demonstrate its dedication to innovation and sustainability in the aviation sector. With strong leadership and backing, ZeroAvia is poised to make a significant impact in decarbonizing the aviation industry and addressing climate change.
