Innovate UK awards Covid-19 Continuity Grant to secure path to major zero-carbon aviation milestone from 2025.
Hybrid Air Vehicles has received an Innovate UK Covid-19 Continuity Grant to ensure that Project E-HAV1 is supported throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. These grants are designed to support live Innovate UK programmes that are making the best progress in innovation and show the best potential for the future.
The need to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment has never been clearer. E-HAV1 is central to our vision of making zero-emissions aviation at scale possible, quickly. We’re delighted to continue with that important work with this additional support to the programme from Innovate UK.
Tom Grundy CEO
Project E-HAV1, launched in April 2019 with partners Collins Aerospace and University of Nottingham, will deliver a full-size prototype 500kW electric propulsor for ground testing. This technology, ready for future productionisation, will then replace Airlander’s fuel-burning forward engines as the first step to an all-electric Airlander by 2030.
The development of this propulsor forms a key part in the electrification journey for Airlander 10. With four fuel-burning engines, Airlander 10 produces 75% fewer emissions than other aircraft in comparable roles. Replacing the two front engines with electric motors will further reduce emissions – the hybrid-electric Airlander 10 will produce 90% fewer emissions from 2025.
Project E-HAV1 addresses key goals of the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy: strengthening the UK’s aerospace capabilities, position the UK for developing future generations of civil aircraft, and advancing a new generation of efficient propulsion technologies. As we push forward into a green recovery from Covid-19, these goals are even more important. The programme represents the cutting edge of decarbonising aviation.
The award of this Innovate UK Continuity Grant for Project E-HAV1 is another funding milestone, alongside HAV’s current successful crowdfund round. The round, which remains open to new investors, was designed to allow anyone to become part of the Airlander journey and the future of zero-carbon aviation. Find out more.
For more information about Project E-HAV1, please see our E-HAV1 news article.
