Evolito Chosen to Provide Electric Propulsion Motors for Flying Whales’ Groundbreaking Airships
Evolito Limited has been chosen to partner with Flying Whales, an innovative company specializing in the development of large-capacity airships, marking a pivotal moment in the future of sustainable aviation. This groundbreaking collaboration seeks to redefine cargo transport by introducing environmentally-friendly airships capable of carrying heavy, oversized loads, particularly to regions with limited infrastructure. The partnership promises to combine cutting-edge technology with a sustainable vision to reduce carbon footprints in the aviation and logistics sectors.
Flying Whales has selected Evolito to supply its advanced electric propulsion motors for the company’s flagship LCA60T airship, which is set to conduct its first test flight in 2027. The LCA60T is a monumental 200-meter long airship designed to carry up to 60 tonnes of cargo, a feat that traditional transport methods struggle to achieve, especially in remote or challenging locations. The airship is a significant step forward in the mission to modernize cargo logistics, and with the inclusion of Evolito’s state-of-the-art propulsion motors, Flying Whales aims to set new benchmarks in both efficiency and sustainability within the industry.
The Role of Evolito’s D250 Electric Motors
The heart of this innovative partnership lies in Evolito’s D250 electric propulsion motor, which will power the LCA60T. Evolito’s D250 motor boasts remarkable power and torque density, making it an ideal choice for Flying Whales’ ambitious airship design. The D250 offers an industry-leading power density of 18.5 kW/kg, delivering 240kW peak power while maintaining an impressively low weight of just 13 kg. Each LCA60T airship will be equipped with 32 of these electric motors, ensuring the power and efficiency needed for such a massive vehicle.
The decision to choose Evolito was driven by several factors, including the company’s exceptional track record in developing compact, lightweight electric propulsion systems that are capable of delivering high power output. In addition, Flying Whales recognized Evolito’s ability to scale production to meet the forecasted demand, making them an ideal partner to provide the necessary motors for their airships’ future production. This scalability is a key factor for Flying Whales as they plan to build multiple airships in the years to come, and Evolito’s expertise ensures that they can meet the increasing production requirements.
Sustainable Solutions for Heavy Cargo Transport
The LCA60T airship represents a transformative shift in how heavy and oversized cargo can be transported, particularly in areas where traditional infrastructure, such as roads or railways, is either insufficient or non-existent. This unique capability is especially relevant in remote regions, where the ability to deliver large cargo, such as construction materials, medical supplies, or heavy machinery, can be life-changing. By relying on electric motors, Flying Whales seeks to minimize the environmental impact of this heavy-lifting process, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the global push toward greener logistics practices.
The use of electric propulsion systems, such as the D250 motor, not only enhances the airship’s operational efficiency but also aligns with Flying Whales’ long-term commitment to sustainability. As the world continues to grapple with climate change and its related challenges, transitioning to electric-powered transport solutions is a vital step toward reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The collaboration between Evolito and Flying Whales represents a significant stride toward achieving a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in aviation.
Evolito’s Technology and Achievements
Evolito’s D250 electric propulsion motors are based on cutting-edge axial-flux technology, a design that offers significant advantages in power-to-weight ratio compared to traditional radial-flux motors. Axial-flux technology allows for motors that are not only smaller and lighter but also more energy-efficient, thus improving the overall performance of aircraft. Evolito’s focus on compactness and power density has positioned the company as a leader in the electric propulsion sector, and their collaboration with Flying Whales further validates the potential of their technology.
In 2023, Evolito received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a major milestone that allows the company to develop certified aviation components. Evolito is currently working towards achieving Production Organisation Approval (POA) and ISO 9001 certification, which will further streamline the certification process and reduce costs for partners such as Flying Whales. The combination of Evolito’s cutting-edge technology and rigorous regulatory compliance makes them a trusted partner in the rapidly evolving electric aviation industry.
The Vision for the Future
Vincent Guibout, CEO of Flying Whales, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the importance of weight considerations in airship design. “When designing an airship, weight is critical,” he said. “In the three years we have been working together, Evolito has demonstrated the ability to deliver best-in-class power density from its unique axial-flux electric motors along with the ability to ramp production to meet our forecast requirements. There is an excellent synergy between our teams – we share the same passion for enabling electric flight through engineering excellence and innovation – and I look forward to working with Evolito towards the first LCA60T flight and beyond into production and commercial operation.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and co-founder of Evolito, who emphasized the importance of the LCA60T airship in demonstrating the potential of electric flight to tackle global challenges. “Flying Whales’ LCA60T airship is a truly inspirational aircraft, demonstrating that electric flight can help solve global challenges – from reducing harmful emissions to delivering critical infrastructure sustainably,” Dr. Harris said. “Evolito’s unique axial-flux technology enables a new class of lightweight, compact, and high-performance electric motors, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles, and use cases – setting new standards in electric propulsion for aerospace.”
As both companies look toward the future, they are excited to see how the LCA60T airship will reshape cargo transport and contribute to a more sustainable world. Flying Whales’ airships will offer an alternative solution to traditional transport methods, offering environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and innovative ways of delivering heavy cargo to remote locations. The integration of Evolito’s electric propulsion systems will play a crucial role in making these airships viable and scalable, helping to reduce the environmental impact of air transport while simultaneously increasing efficiency.