Horizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia Announce Plans to Explore Hydrogen eVTOL Propulsion
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), a developer of hybrid eVTOL aircraft, has announced plans to collaborate with ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric powertrains, to explore zero-emission regional air travel solutions. The partnership will focus on evaluating ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain for potential integration into Horizon's Cavorite X7 fan-in-wing eVTOL aircraft.
The collaboration aims to accelerate research into necessary infrastructure and certification guidelines for zero-emission aviation. This strategic partnership represents Horizon Aircraft's first step towards developing zero-emission regional air travel capabilities, with a focus on practical implementation and operational efficiency.
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), sviluppatore di velivoli ibridi eVTOL, ha annunciato l'intenzione di collaborare con ZeroAvia, leader nei propulsori idrogeno-elettrici, per esplorare soluzioni di viaggio aereo regionale a emissioni zero. La partnership si concentrerà sulla valutazione del propulsore idrogeno-elettrico ZA600 di ZeroAvia per una possibile integrazione nell'eVTOL Cavorite X7 di Horizon, caratterizzato da un sistema fan-in-wing.
La collaborazione punta ad accelerare la ricerca sulle infrastrutture necessarie e sulle linee guida di certificazione per l'aviazione a emissioni zero. Questa alleanza strategica rappresenta il primo passo di Horizon Aircraft verso lo sviluppo di capacità di viaggio aereo regionale a zero emissioni, con un focus sull'implementazione pratica e sull'efficienza operativa.
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), desarrollador de aeronaves híbridas eVTOL, ha anunciado planes para colaborar con ZeroAvia, líder en trenes motrices hidrógeno-eléctricos, para explorar soluciones de viajes aéreos regionales con cero emisiones. La asociación se centrará en evaluar el tren motriz hidrógeno-eléctrico ZA600 de ZeroAvia para su posible integración en la aeronave eVTOL Cavorite X7 de Horizon, que cuenta con un sistema fan-in-wing.
La colaboración tiene como objetivo acelerar la investigación sobre la infraestructura necesaria y las pautas de certificación para la aviación sin emisiones. Esta alianza estratégica representa el primer paso de Horizon Aircraft hacia el desarrollo de capacidades de viajes aéreos regionales sin emisiones, enfocándose en la implementación práctica y la eficiencia operativa.
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR)는 하이브리드 eVTOL 항공기 개발업체로서, 수소 전기 추진 시스템 분야의 선두주자인 ZeroAvia와 협력하여 무배출 지역 항공 여행 솔루션을 모색할 계획을 발표했습니다. 이번 협력은 Horizon의 Cavorite X7 팬인윙 eVTOL 항공기에 ZeroAvia의 ZA600 수소 전기 추진 시스템을 통합할 가능성을 평가하는 데 중점을 둡니다.
이 협력은 무배출 항공을 위한 필수 인프라와 인증 지침 연구를 가속화하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 이 전략적 파트너십은 실질적인 구현과 운영 효율성에 중점을 두고 무배출 지역 항공 여행 역량 개발을 위한 Horizon Aircraft의 첫걸음입니다.
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ : HOVR), développeur d’aéronefs hybrides eVTOL, a annoncé son intention de collaborer avec ZeroAvia, leader des groupes motopropulseurs hydrogène-électriques, afin d’explorer des solutions de transport aérien régional zéro émission. Ce partenariat se concentrera sur l’évaluation du groupe motopropulseur hydrogène-électrique ZA600 de ZeroAvia pour une éventuelle intégration dans l’aéronef eVTOL Cavorite X7 de Horizon, doté d’un système fan-in-wing.
Cette collaboration vise à accélérer la recherche sur les infrastructures nécessaires et les directives de certification pour l’aviation zéro émission. Ce partenariat stratégique représente la première étape de Horizon Aircraft vers le développement de capacités de transport aérien régional zéro émission, en mettant l’accent sur la mise en œuvre pratique et l’efficacité opérationnelle.
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), ein Entwickler von hybriden eVTOL-Flugzeugen, hat Pläne angekündigt, mit ZeroAvia, einem führenden Anbieter von wasserstoff-elektrischen Antriebssystemen, zusammenzuarbeiten, um emissionsfreie regionale Luftverkehrslösungen zu erforschen. Die Partnerschaft wird sich darauf konzentrieren, den ZA600 Wasserstoff-Elektroantrieb von ZeroAvia für eine mögliche Integration in Horizon’s Cavorite X7 Fan-in-Wing eVTOL-Flugzeug zu evaluieren.
Die Zusammenarbeit zielt darauf ab, die Forschung zu notwendiger Infrastruktur und Zertifizierungsrichtlinien für emissionsfreie Luftfahrt zu beschleunigen. Diese strategische Partnerschaft stellt den ersten Schritt von Horizon Aircraft dar, um emissionsfreie regionale Luftverkehrsfähigkeiten zu entwickeln, mit Fokus auf praktische Umsetzung und Betriebseffizienz.
- Strategic partnership with ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric powertrains
- Potential advancement towards zero-emission regional air travel technology
- Focus on practical implementation and certification pathways
- Access to ZeroAvia's proven ZA600 powertrain technology
- Early exploratory stage with no guaranteed outcomes
- Timeline for implementation and certification remains undefined
- Potential technical challenges in integrating new propulsion system
Insights
Horizon's hydrogen eVTOL partnership with ZeroAvia shows strategic foresight, potentially extending range while addressing battery limitations.
This collaboration between Horizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia represents a significant technical pivot in the eVTOL sector. Horizon's exploration of hydrogen-electric propulsion for their Cavorite X7 aircraft addresses one of the fundamental limitations of current battery-electric eVTOL designs - limited range and endurance. The ZA600 powertrain being evaluated has demonstrated promising results in conventional aircraft applications, potentially offering Horizon a 3-4x range improvement over comparable battery systems.
Technically, Horizon's unique fan-in-wing configuration presents both challenges and opportunities for hydrogen integration. The distributed propulsion system would require careful engineering to accommodate hydrogen storage tanks while maintaining the aircraft's center of gravity and safety parameters. However, the Cavorite's larger airframe (compared to most eVTOLs) provides more volume for hydrogen storage - a critical advantage given hydrogen's lower volumetric energy density.
This move indicates Horizon is taking a pragmatic, forward-looking approach to power systems. While battery-electric remains viable for short-range urban air mobility, the hydrogen pathway potentially opens regional routes of 100+ miles that would be impractical with current battery technology. The fact they're addressing infrastructure and certification pathways simultaneously shows appropriate recognition of the ecosystem challenges beyond the aircraft itself.
This partnership positions Horizon strategically in the increasingly crowded eVTOL market by addressing the sector's most pressing technological limitation. While dozens of eVTOL startups focus on battery-electric systems with their inherent range constraints, hydrogen-electric propulsion could enable Horizon to target the more lucrative regional mobility market rather than just urban air taxi operations.
ZeroAvia brings valuable regulatory experience to this partnership. They've made significant progress with aviation authorities on hydrogen certification frameworks through their fixed-wing programs, potentially accelerating Horizon's path to commercial viability. This collaboration suggests Horizon is pursuing a dual-track strategy - continuing development of their hybrid system for near-term certification while simultaneously exploring hydrogen for longer-term market expansion.
The timing is notable as investor interest in hydrogen aviation has grown substantially, with over $300 million in funding flowing to hydrogen aerospace startups in the past 18 months. By aligning with ZeroAvia, Horizon gains association with one of the sector's most well-funded and technically advanced players, potentially strengthening their market position and investor appeal.
While this announcement represents exploratory work rather than a definitive product roadmap, it demonstrates management's recognition that battery-only approaches may not serve all market segments. As conventional aviation faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, positioning early in the hydrogen-electric ecosystem could provide Horizon competitive advantages as regional air mobility markets develop.
Announcement represents Horizon Aircraft’s first step towards zero-emission regional air travel with a focus on real-world implementation
TORONTO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), doing business as Horizon Aircraft (“Horizon Aircraft” or the “Company”), an advanced aerospace engineering company and developer of one of the world’s first hybrid eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, and ZeroAvia, a global leader in hydrogen-electric powertrains, today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.
Together, the companies will cooperate on exploring zero-emission, regional eVTOL power systems with the intention to evaluate ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain in the Cavorite X7, Horizon Aircraft’s unique fan-in-wing eVTOL. As well as investigating the integration of ZeroAvia’s powertrain, the partnership will accelerate research into the necessary infrastructure and certification guidelines to unlock a zero-emission pathway for Horizon Aircraft.
"We are a company that continues to focus on what is best for operators of our aircraft. We have been impressed with ZeroAvia's recent flight demonstrations of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and the company’s traction with regulators. We are thankful for the opportunity to explore hydrogen solutions for the regional air mobility market which could develop into a viable solution to deliver clean, fast, and highly efficient air travel," said Brandon Robinson, CEO and Co-founder at Horizon Aircraft.
Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO of ZeroAvia, said, “More and more eVTOL companies are looking to hydrogen-electric propulsion as the breakthrough that can extend range potential and durability of electric propulsion systems. Horizon Aircraft has developed an exciting application and performed successful prototype testing, and they are taking another leadership step in exploring hydrogen as a potential propulsion option for the Cavorite X7.”
The planned collaboration with ZeroAvia represents an innovative move forward for Horizon Aircraft as it considers all operational and practical technologies. The company is developing strong aerospace partnerships while building momentum towards certification and commercial readiness.
For more information about Horizon Aircraft, please visit the Company’s website or watch its innovative technology in action on the Company’s YouTube channel.
About Horizon Aircraft
Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR) is an advanced aerospace engineering company that is developing one of the world’s first hybrid eVTOL that is to be able to fly most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft while offering industry-leading speed, range, and operational utility. Horizon Aircraft’s unique designs put the mission first and prioritize safety, performance, and utility. Horizon intends to successfully complete testing and certification of its Cavorite X7 eVTOL and then scale unit production to meet expected demand from regional operators, emergency service providers, and military customers.
Visit www.horizonaircraft.com for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Horizon competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Horizon will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) the lack of useful financial information for an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Horizon’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Horizon, including the condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Horizon; (vi) Horizon’s ability to develop, certify, and manufacture an aircraft that meets its performance expectations; (vii) successful completion of testing and certification of Horizon’s Cavorite X7 eVTOL; (viii) the targeted future production of Horizon’s Cavorite X7 aircraft; and (ix) other factors detailed by us in the Company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the disclosures under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2024, as amended on March 17, 2025, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC and accessible at www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Horizon does not give any assurance that Horizon will achieve its expectations.
Contacts
Investors:
Matt Chesler, CFA
FNK IR
(646) 809-2183
HOVR@fnkir.com
Media:
Edwina Frawley-Gangahar
EFG Media Relations
+44 7580 174672
edwina@efgmediarelations.com
