ZeroAvia and Alaska Airlines issued joint statements that they are are collaborating to develop a hydrogen-electric powertrain capable of flying 76-seat regional aircraft in excess of 500 Nautical Miles.
Alaska and ZeroAvia engineers will work together to scale ZeroAvia’s existing powertrain platform to produce the ZA2000, an engine family capable of producing between 2,000 and 5,000 kilowatts of power with a 500-mile range.
The partnership will initially deploy ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion technology into a full-size De Havilland Q400 aircraft, previously operated by Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon Air Industries, Inc., capable of transporting 76 passengers.
ZeroAvia will set up a location in the Seattle area to support this initiative.
“Alaska is committed to creating a sustainable future for aviation, working on all aspects of a five-part path toward our goal of net zero by 2040,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Alaska Airlines.
Alaska has secured options for up to 50 kits to begin converting its regional aircraft to hydrogen-electric power through ZeroAvia’s zero-emission powertrain, starting with the Q400 aircraft.
The rollout will be supported by the ground fuel production and dispensing infrastructure from ZeroAvia and its infrastructure partners, including Shell.
“The aviation industry is one of the hardest industries to decarbonize; however, with this collaboration, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of making our skies emission-free,” said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia.
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