ZeroAvia signs contract with Textron Aviation to develop hydrogen-electric powertrains for the Cessna Grand Caravan

ZeroAvia has signed a joint development agreement with Textron Aviation, supporting ZeroAvia’s development of hydrogen-electric, zero-emission powertrains for the Cessna Grand Caravan (208B) aircraft. 

The agreement with Textron Aviation is a welcome addition to prior commitments from other aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and operators to ZeroAvia’s powertrain technology over the course of the last few months. ZeroAvia is aiming to obtain certification of the 600kW powertrain by 2025, which would then enable customers to offer zero-emission flights.

As the Cessna Grand Caravan is made by Textron Aviation, its design makes it ideal for mounting hydrogen fuel tanks under the wings.

The company is already well underway to retrofitting hydrogen powertrains onto the Dornier 228 aircraft in the Cotswolds, UK. Test flights for this are expected in the next few weeks.

The company is actively developing the market for its ZA600 product with different 9-19 seat airframes, while concurrently developing its ZA2000, 2-5MW engine class for 40-80 seat aircraft with an entry-into-service target of 2027.

Val Miftakhov, CEO, ZeroAvia, said: “The famous Cessna Grand Caravan is on track to be one the first airframes operating commercial services – both cargo and passenger – with hydrogen-electric, zero-emission engines. We applaud the visionary leadership of Textron Aviation in joining us to help transform a much-loved mainstay of sub-regional aviation into a symbol of sustainable transformation in aviation.”