Hydrogen-Electric Aviation Company ZeroAvia Acquires UK Fuel Cell Stack Innovator HyPoint

ZeroAvia, a leader in developing zero-emission solutions for commercial aviation, has acquired the UK fuel cell stack innovator HyPoint. The acquisition adds HyPoint's high-temperature fuel cell technology - which offers increased power output and energy density of aviation fuel cell powertrains - to ZeroAvia's expertise in developing the full powertrain to enable hydrogen-electric flight. 

The two companies have worked closely together on co-developing and testing HTPEM fuel cell technology as part of ZeroAvia's powertrain development over the last couple of years.

This early partnership was part of ZeroAvia's work within the HyFlyer II programme.

HyPoint has developed technology with the potential to significantly expedite the introduction of fuel cell propulsion into larger aircraft. This early partnership was part of ZeroAvia's work within the HyFlyer II programme.

HyPoint's CEO Alex Ivanenko joins ZeroAvia as GM for VTOL and New Segments, to develop ZeroAvia's rotorcraft business applications, and to explore other applications outside of ZeroAvia's core focus on fixed-wing commercial aviation.

ZeroAvia is focused on hydrogen-electric aviation solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027. 

Val Miftakhov, CEO and Founder, ZeroAvia, says: "We see this as a significant forward step for ZeroAvia, and a hugely important strategic step to strengthen our leadership position in hydrogen-electric powertrain development for aviation. There are no other organizations with the breadth of expertise and world-leading IP in hydrogen-electric aviation that we now have within the company. This acquisition, together with our long-standing partnership with the leading LTPEM (low-temperature PEM) fuel cell maker PowerCell, puts us in the top position for delivering the most environmentally and economically attractive solution to aviation's growing climate impact."

Alex Ivanenko, former CEO of HyPoint and newly appointed GM for VTOL and New Segments at ZeroAvia, adds: "This acquisition is the natural next chapter in our journey, allowing us to tap into the benefits of the larger and strategic resources that ZeroAvia has to offer. It will accelerate our product development and, as a result, partners from different market segments will get mature products based on novel turbo-air cooled HTPEM hydrogen fuel cells. The team and I are excited to join forces with ZeroAvia to achieve the ambitious vision and product roadmap for zero-emission aviation."

Based in the UK and US, ZeroAvia has secured a number of key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs and major global airlines, and is on track for commercial operations in 2025. 

Eralier this year, American Airlines investment in the company, In addition to the investment, a memorandum of understanding provides American the opportunity to order up to 100 engines from ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain development programme.