June 10 (Renewables Now) - ZeroAvia, a developer of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation, and UK’s MONTE Aircraft Leasing this week said they have signed an agreement for MONTE to purchase up to 100 hydrogen-electric powertrains.

The deal concerns ZeroAvia’s 600-kW, market entry ZA600 powertrain, which is designed to support 5-20 seat airframes by 2024, running on gaseous hydrogen stored onboard in lightweight tanks.

The powertrains to be acquired by MONTE will be installed on existing and new Cessna Caravan, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Dornier 228 and HAL-228 regional turboprop aircraft. Retrofitting the planes for clients is expected to start in 2024.

MONTE investment director Timothy Eyre said the partnership is a key step in the company’s journey towards becoming one of the world’s first zero-emission aircraft lessors.

“This partnership will offer flexibility to operators to allow them to launch zero-emissions flights on their networks, as well as extending the lifespan of hundreds of in-service airframes,” said James Peck, vice president business development at ZeroAvia.

ZeroAvia plans to soon start flight tests of the ZA600 as part of efforts towards a certifiable hydrogen-electric powertrain.

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