The EU’s Innovation Fund has approved ZeroAvia’s application for €21.4 million (US$24.5 million) in funding to advance their hydrogen-electric engines.
The money will go towards a new project in Norway that will see 15 Cessna Caravan planes with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine. The funding will also go towards hydrogen infrastructure development across the Scandinavian state, including storage and refuelling capabilities.
ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said:
The EU Innovation Fund is notoriously competitive with applications needing to pass through rigorous assessment and demonstrate compelling evidence for near-term greenhouse gas reductions.
This project will set a phenomenal example by introducing a scaled network of hydrogen-electric aircraft operations, efficiently delivering vital goods to people and businesses across Norway without the typical associated environmental damage.
The Norwegian project will create the largest-established zero-carbon commercial flight network ever. If successful, the deployment of ZeroAvia engines could reduce carbon emissions on kerosene-powered cargo routes by 95%.
The project’s goal is to test the viability of hydrogen propulsion tech in Norway, findings which will in turn inform development across the EU. Regulatory approval for ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain is currently ongoing with both the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
ZeroAvia also seeks to expand their hydrogen tech beyond planes. Earlier this year, the company announced it plans to build a facility for hydrogen-electric train manufacture in Scotland.
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