ZeroAvia and PowerCell sign MOU for fuel cell stack development and series deliveries

ZeroAvia has signed a memorandum of understanding with PowerCell Sweden AB for the joint development and annual series delivery of at least 5,000 aviation-optimized Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks.

In accordance with the MOU, PowerCell wants to create a presence in the United Kingdom for the first time, constructing a production team alongside ZeroAvia’s production facilities. The parties anticipate reaching an agreement by the end of the third quarter of 2022.

Both parties will continue to collaborate to optimize the performance of existing PowerCell stacks within ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric, zero-emission aircraft powertrains. PowerCell wants to assemble the modified stacks for use in ZeroAvia’s prototype and subsequently certified powertrains.

PowerCell has been a key provider of low temperature PEM (LTPEM) fuel cells as part of ZeroAvia’s pioneering efforts to build a 600kW certified hydrogen-electric powertrain for the HyFlyer II project, which is financed by the UK Government through the ATI program. ZeroAvia intends to power 9-19 seat commercial aircraft up to 300 nautical miles with its ZA600 powertrains by 2024, allowing for emissions-free flights on routes such as London to Edinburgh and Stockholm to Malmo.

ZeroAvia is preparing for the first test flight of its 600kW hydrogen-electric engine in the next days, using PowerCell fuel cell stacks as a component of these systems. Additionally, the business is upgrading a second Dornier-228 testbed in Hollister, California, in order to undertake additional flying tests and demonstrations on the vital North American market.

Val Miftakhov, ZeroAvia Founder & CEO, said: “This MoU further cements ZeroAvia’s lead in the race to deliver true zero-emission engines for commercial flights.  By co-locating this operation we can ensure the full collaboration of both talented teams in tailoring hydrogen fuel cell stacks for aviation. This will result in delivery of systems with the required power to enable electric aviation to achieve range and payload that are highly attractive to operators and airframe OEMs, while eliminating emissions.”

Richard Berkling, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB, said: “Working with ZeroAvia has been a core plank of our entry into the clean aviation market, which is a very large future market for fuel cell technology. We are delighted to further formalize that partnership and to establish our first UK development presence, given our opportunities here across multiple sectors.”