Swedish electric aircraft manufacturer Hart Aerospace today unveiled significant design updates to its first electric aircraft and confirmed Air Canada, one of North America’s largest airlines, and Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab. New minority shareholders.
The new design of the aircraft, called the ES-30, is a regional electric aircraft with a capacity of 30 passengers and replaces the company’s previous 19-seat design, the ES-19. It is powered by battery-powered electric motors, allowing the aircraft to operate with zero emissions and low noise.
Air Canada and Saab each invested $5 million in Hart Aerospace. In addition to its investment, Air Canada also placed a purchase order for 30 ES-30 aircraft.
“We are excited to have two strong partners like Saab and Air Canada join our mission to electrify regional aviation. Grown in Sweden, Saab is synonymous with space, and our partnership will not only support our project, but also enable us to become part of Sweden’s proud space heritage.“, said Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Hart Aerospace. “Air Canada is a strategically important partner in one of the world’s largest networks powered by regional turboprops and a forward-looking, progressive company.“.
“Air Canada is very pleased to partner with Hart Aerospace in the development of this revolutionary aircraft. We have worked hard to reduce our footprint, but we know that achieving our net zero emissions goals will require new technology like the ES-30. We are confident that the Hart Aerospace team has the experience to deliver on ES-30’s promise for a cleaner and greener aviation future.“, said Air Canada President and CEO Michael Russo.
The ES-30 has a comfortable three-seat side-by-side flat-floor cabin with kitchenette and toilet. Cabin stowage and overhead bins will add to the large external trunk and cargo area and provide airlines with network flexibility.
The aircraft will also include a backup hybrid configuration with two turbogenerators powered by standard jet fuel. A backup hybrid system has been installed to ensure backup power requirements without reducing battery life and the additional power provided by the batteries can be used during long flights.
This gives the aircraft an all-electric range of 200 kilometres, an extended range of 400 kilometers with 30 passengers and the flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, all including regular flight reserves.
“The ES-30 is an electric aircraft that the industry can actually use. We have designed an affordable aircraft that allows airlines to provide good service on a wide range of routes“, said Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Hart Aerospace. “With the ES-30 we can start reducing aviation emissions by the end of this decade and the market response has been fantastic.“.
“It underlines our commitment to innovative technologies and solutions for sustainable aviation. Hart is a pioneer in commercial electric aviation and we look forward to contributing to the future of aviation with our expertise in developing technologically advanced solutions.“, Says Michael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab.
Previous orders for Hart Aerospace’s ES-19 electric aircraft were placed by United Airlines and Mesa Air Group for a total of 200 electric aircraft, and an option for 100 aircraft was reaffirmed for the updated ES-30 design.
“Hart and United have been on the same page since the beginning, focusing on safety, reliability and consistency. Hart’s groundbreaking new design – including expanded passenger capacity from 19 to 30 seats and a state-of-the-art hybrid reserve engine – is a revolutionary idea that brings true innovation to aviation.“, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said.
In addition to these obligations, ES-19 Letter of Intent (LOI) holders have already updated their letters to reflect ES-30. These include Nordic Airlines Pratans Regional Airlines (BRA), Icelandair and SAS, and New Zealand’s Sounds Air. Deciding to focus on sustainable solutions for the industry, Sweden-based lessor Rockton has signed an LOI with 40 aircraft.
In total, Hart Aerospace has LOIs for 96 ES-30s.
The ES-30 is an economical aircraft that, in addition to significant fuel economy, is cheaper than a large turboprop due to its electric propulsion. The aircraft is designed to adapt to the evolution of battery technology, which will increase its all-electric range and make it even more cost-effective over time.
The ES-30 is expected to enter service in 2028.
At Hart Aerospace we work at the forefront of technology while contributing to a sustainable future. Heart’s mission is to create the greenest, most affordable and accessible modes of transportation in the world. This work creates an opportunity for electric aviation to become the new normal for regional airlines and make a difference in addressing the industry’s key sustainability challenges.
At Hart Aerospace we are developing the ES-30, a regional electric aircraft powered by battery-derived electric motors with a fixed capacity of 30 passengers. The ES-30 will have a zero-emission range of up to 200 kilometers, extendable to 400 kilometers with 30 passengers and the flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, all including flight-routine reserves.
Our investors include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Equity Ventures, European Investment Council, Lower Carbon Capital, Mesa Air Group Inc and United Airlines Ventures. Our main offices and final assembly facility are located at Save Airport in Gothenburg, Sweden.
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