ZeroAvia Forced To Lay Off Staff; Reorder Priorities JF has covered the exploits of hydrogen-aviation specialist Zero-Avia. The company though has flown into strong headwinds that has now forced the delay and refocus of many of its efforts in the hydrogen-propulsion integration sphere of aviation. The company has reported a cut in an estimated half of its workforce after funding rounds proved to yield less-than-ideal results.
The work they are currently focusing on is related to the push for certification of its hydrogen fuel cell system in 2027. The company was working on the entire picture - planned complete powertrain-. The benefits from using hydrogen are mostly hailed from a positive environmental impact. However, Hydrogen can be an expensive use-case.
ZeroAvia prior had been working to certify the ZA600 system as far back as 2024. However, the company now expects the fuel cell system to be certified to fly by 2027. Consequently, the ZA600 powertrain will slip by 12-24 months. This will naturally have negative effects for the company's more powerful and larger powertrain project, the ZA2000 which would be the 2 Mw variant. This ideal was being formulated to run larger turboprop-sized aircraft for up to 1,000 nautical miles.
Hydrogen is an interesting proposition to chase as an upcoming integrator and airframer. Detractors of the fuel-source and associated technologies suggests that hydrogen’s high cost, low energy density, and infrastructure demands are stumbling blocks and major hurdles to much easier traditional paths to propulsive certification. For more information: ZeroAvia U.S 90 Skylane Dr, Hangar 1, Hollister, CA 95023 www.zeroavia.com ***
