De Havilland Canada and ZeroAvia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a hydrogen-electric motor program for the Dash 8-400.
Under the agreement, De Havilland Canada will receive options to purchase 50 ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. These options will be confirmed once a definitive agreement between the companies is completed.
ZeroAvia is working on conversion kits for in-service aircraft, which provide the possibility of replacing their engines with innovative options that do not emit CO2 into the environment. If the partnership is confirmed, the companies will work on an in-line retrofit for new aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Canada and, in turn, to upgrade aircraft currently in operation.
A press release issued by ZeroAvia said «this program will target the use of the 2MW+ (ZA2000) powertrain for Dash 8-400 aircraft. The Dash 8-400 is one of the most reliable turboprop aircraft in the world with more than 625 delivered to customers. The global fleet of such aircraft has recorded more than 11 million flight hours and carried more than 550 million passengers.»
With the support of the Canadian manufacturer, ZeroAvia will develop a flight demonstrator using a Dash 8-400, which will be used to achieve certification and demonstrate the operational and commercial potential of the electric and hydrogen-powered engine. The program’s plan is for this development to enter service within the next five years.
«De Havilland Canada has made substantial progress in reducing emissions and has shown a strong commitment to greener aviation, and the next step is to get to true zero-emissions using hydrogen-electric motors,» said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia. He added, «The partnership with De Havilland Canada places ZeroAvia on a definite path to adapt to the new airframes and signals the manufacturers’ desire to make the switch to certified zero-emission propulsion as soon as possible.
Dave Riggs, Transformation Director at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, said the company » firmly believes in hydrogen-electric technology as a viable solution to decarbonize aviation. We are excited to collaborate with ZeroAvia in the development of climate-friendly propulsion as an option for our customers around the world.»
