Swedish electric airplane manufacturer Heart Aerospace has teamed up with BAE Systems to develop a battery system for its ES-30 electric plane, marking an important step towards sustainable electric air travel.
Heart Aerospace has been making waves in the aviation industry with its leading-edge zero-emission aircraft, starting with its ES-19 electric airplane that can carry up to 19 people up to 250 miles. United Airlines and Air Canada have already made investments in Heart, with United committing to purchasing and deploying 100 ES-19 electric aircraft to its fleet.
Heart Aerospace’s latest model, the ES-30, has a fully-electric zero-emission range of up to 124 miles and 30-minute fast charge capabilities, making it ideal for short-distance travel. However, to advance the ES-30 battery system and increase its range, Heart has partnered with BAE Systems, a leader in developing batteries for heavy-duty industrial vehicles and safety-critical control systems for aerospace. The battery system will be the “first of its kind” for a conventional takeoff and landing regional aircraft, operating with zero emissions and significantly reduced noise.
The ES-30 has already garnered significant interest, with Heart Aerospace reporting 230 orders and another 100 options for the electric aircraft, as well as a letter of intent for another 108 planes. The ES-30 is scheduled to enter service in 2028, and Heart Aerospace has plans to double its all-electric range to nearly 250 miles by the late 2030s.
The benefits of electric airplanes go beyond zero emissions, as they also feature lower costs and require less maintenance due to fewer engine repairs. As Heart Aerospace and BAE Systems continue to innovate and push the boundaries of electric aviation technology, the future of sustainable air travel looks bright.