Evolito will supply high-performance electric propulsion units to meet rigorous airliner-level safety standards for Vertical Aerospace’s flagship Valo aircraft
Story and Image Credit: Summer James
aaminternational.com
Vertical Aerospace has entered into a long-term partnership with Evolito to supply the electric propulsion units for Valo, the company’s commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
The agreement tasks Evolito with providing a unique architecture that integrates lightweight electric motors and high-integrity DAL-A power electronics into a single electric engine. This propulsion system is designed to provide the extended range, performance, and redundancy necessary for Valo to meet safety standards equivalent to those of large commercial airliners. These technical requirements are essential for the aircraft’s certification, which is currently targeted for 2028.
As part of the collaboration, the two companies intend to jointly certify the propulsion units with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), alongside concurrent validation with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Evolito already holds a CAA Design Organization Approval, which serves as a prerequisite for UK type certification and commercial flight operations.
Beyond the standard electric model, Vertical is developing a hybrid-electric variant designed for greater mission flexibility and range. This platform will also integrate Evolito’s technology, with flight testing scheduled to commence in mid-2026. The development is supported by the UK’s Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), which is part of a £2.3 billion government funding initiative for cleaner aerospace innovation.
David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical Aerospace, stated, “Vertical’s approach to Valo is grounded in rigorous engineering and certification discipline. Our collaboration is centered on delivering a propulsion system that provides the performance, redundancy and reliability required for airliner-level safety standards, while remaining practical for commercial operations. It’s a partnership built around getting the fundamentals right.”
Evolito was established in 2021 as a spin-out from YASA to commercialize axial-flux electric motor technology specifically for the aerospace sector. This partnership follows the recent appointment of Richard Moore as Vertical’s Vice President of Powertrain, signaling a shift toward industrialization and manufacturing readiness.
Chris Harris, CEO of Evolito, commented, “We’re thrilled to be working with Vertical Aerospace, a company that shares our vision for a cleaner, more connected future. Our engines are designed to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace, and we’re excited to contribute to the success of Vertical’s aircraft with propulsion systems that deliver unmatched performance and efficiency.”
Dave Shilliday, Vice President & General Manager, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace, added, “Vertical is taking a rigorous, certification-led approach to electric aviation, and we’re proud to support that journey. Valo reflects the kind of disciplined engineering and long-term thinking required to bring electric flight into real-world service, and we will continue to work closely with the Vertical team and their partners as the program progresses toward certification.”
The collaboration has also drawn attention from the UK government regarding its modern Industrial Strategy. Chris McDonald, Industry Minister, noted: “This is a welcome win for Britain’s world-class aerospace sector, which will help us stay at the cutting edge of innovation and continue leading the way on zero emission flight. We’re backing companies like Vertical and Evolito with support through our modern Industrial Strategy and the Aerospace Technology Institute, while the CAA’s world-leading regulation is helping the industry soar and create good jobs right across the country.”
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