Vertical Aerospace, a pioneering aerospace and technology company focused on zero-emissions aviation, has just announced the opening of the Vertical Energy Centre (VEC), the most advanced aerospace battery facility in the United Kingdom. The multi-million-pound facility, located in Bristol, is one of the only aerospace battery facilities in the UK dedicated solely to the development of cutting-edge battery technology.
Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL is set to revolutionize air travel, with projections indicating that the aircraft will be able to transport a pilot and up to four passengers up to 100 miles, achieving a cruise speed of 150 miles per hour, all while producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions.
Leading the development of this groundbreaking technology is Vertical’s 50-strong battery team, made up of experts from companies like McLaren, the European Space Agency, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Dyson. Their collective expertise is enabling the creation of proprietary battery technology that boasts greater power to weight ratios, essential for the success of eVTOL flight.
Thanks to significant investment in battery design, including cell packaging, cooling, and electronic battery management systems, Vertical is confident in delivering high-performance battery packs that can power eVTOL aircraft. The company is aiming for entry into service with a 220Wh/kg battery system, which will allow the VX4 to conduct back-to-back missions with fast-charging cycles in-between, all while minimizing impact on the packs’ cycle life.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Vertical, is enthusiastic about the potential of the Vertical Energy Centre, stating that “delivering the electric aircraft of the future requires innovation at its best, which is why we are championing UK electric battery development. Our world-class team in Bristol will be pushing new boundaries to design battery systems fit for electrifying our future.”
Dr. Limhi Somerville, Head of Vertical’s powertrain team, echoes this sentiment, noting that “aircraft require high-performing and safer batteries than anything on the market today. This facility and our core technology will unlock this, bringing the reality of electric flight even closer.”
Vertical Aerospace was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, an established entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Ovo Group, a leading energy and technology group, and Europe’s largest independent energy retailer. With the opening of the Vertical Energy Centre, the company is poised to revolutionize the aviation industry, ushering in a new era of sustainable air travel.
