Evolito selected to supply electric propulsion motors for Flying Whales' innovative airships

Evolito announces its collaboration with Flying Whales. This partnership marks a significant milestone in sustainable cargo aviation, demonstrating both innovative solutions to real world problems and reducing carbon footprints. Evolito will provide their state-of-the-art D250 electric propulsion motor for the LCA60T airship, which is due to make its debut test flight in 2027. The LCA60T is 200 meters long and has been designed to transport exceptionally heavy loads of up to 60 tonnes.

Flying Whales' airships are designed to provide a unique solution for transporting heavy and oversized cargo, especially in regions with limited infrastructure. By utilizing Evolito's advanced motors, Flying Whales aims to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promoting greener logistics practices worldwide.

Flying Whales selected Evolito’s D250 electric motor for its airship because of its exceptional power and torque density. Each airship will be powered by 32 D250 motors. Another critical factor for Flying Whales in their choice of electric motor partner was Evolito’s ability to scale production to deliver the quantity of electric motors required to meet Flying Whales’ production forecast.

Evolito’s electric motors are the smallest and lightest in their class. The D250 offers industry leading power density of 18.5kW/kg providing 240kW peak power and weighing 13kg.

In 2023 Evolito was awarded Design Organisation Approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and is working towards POA and ISO9001 later this year which will help to reduce certification costs for Flying Whales.

Vincent Guibout, CEO of Flying Whales commented: “When designing an airship, weight is critical. 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.”

Dr. Chris Harris, Evolito CEO and co-founder said: “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. Evolito’s unique axial-flux technology enables a new class of lightweight, compact and high-performance electric motor, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles and use-cases -setting new standards in electric propulsion for Aerospace.”