A Grand Caravan powered by the ZA600...

ZeroAvia announced on September 29, 2022 that it has entered into a non-exclusive joint development agreement with Textron Aviation to support ZeroAvia's development of zero-emission hydrogen-electric powertrains for the Cessna Grand Caravan (208B) aircraft. ZeroAvia will obtain a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to equip the Grand Caravan, a single-engine turboprop utility aircraft, with the ZA600 zero-emission powertrain for commercial passenger and cargo operators.

...of 600 kW as early as 2025

Thethe Cessna Grand Caravan, with its high-wing design, is an ideal candidate for underwing hydrogen tank installation, allowing operators to maintain seating capacity or cargo space, while transitioning to zero-emission propulsion systems. ZeroAvia will develop its ZA600 propulsion system for the Grand Caravan with data, engineering and certification support provided by Textron Aviation. ZeroAvia aims to achieve certification for the 600 kW powertrain as early as 2025, enabling customers to fly zero-emission.

A new agreement for ZeroAvia 

The Cessna Grand Caravan platform has seen more than 2,400 aircraft delivered worldwide since its launch, representing tremendous potential for the transition to clean propulsion. ZeroAvia has already announced several agreements with operators and lessors for Grand Caravan conversions.This agreement with Textron Aviation adds to significant prior commitments from other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aircraft operators to ZeroAvia's powertrain technology in recent months. 

Toward the ZA2000 in 2027 

ZeroAvia is already well advanced in installing its system in a 19-seat Dornier 228 aircraft at its R&D facility at Cotswold Airport in the United Kingdom, with the first test flights scheduled in the coming weeks. The company is actively developing the market for its ZA600 product with various airframes from 9 to 19 seats, while in parallel developing its ZA2000, 2-5MW class of engines for 40- to 80-seat aircraft, with a goal of entering service in 2027. ZeroAvia's work to develop its 600kW system to a certifiable design is part of the HyFlyer II project, supported by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK through the ATI program.