Loganair, ZeroAvia ready 2500 kW electric motor for hydrogen aviation future
Scotland’s Loganair is charting a new, hydrogen-powered course for sustainable aviation, partnering with ZeroAvia to develop new, zero-emissions offerings that could see the airline’s 40-80 passenger capacity aircraft operate emission-free on regional routes across the UK and Europe.
ZeroAvia seems to be spending the $150M it raised from Airbus and American Airlines in Q4 of last year well, advancing certification for its “ZA600” 600 kW hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for 10-20 seat aircraft with the UK’s CAA. At the same time, ZeroAvia is developing a second, more powerful modular engine called ZA2000 intended for use 40-80 seat aircraft like the ATR 42 and 72 — which Loganair owns more than twenty of.
“The recent commitments made by ZeroAvia to bring their hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturing centre to Glasgow, and the strong engagement between our senior teams, has made this next step entirely possible and logical,” explains Luke Farajallah, CEO of Loganair. “The future of sustainable flight will rely on companies like ZeroAvia and Loganair to be the pioneers of new technology, and we see the work being undertaken by Val and the team as being incredibly inspiring and realistic when set against our own work and ambitious targets in this space. We truly believe the Loganair fleet and network to be the perfect airline/geography combination when considering the ZeroAvia product suite and we look forward to working together to provide a greener future.”
ZeroAvia ZA2000 v. ICE option
| ZA2000 | Large turboprop engine | |
| Propulsion system type | Fuel Cell and Electric Motor | Internal combustion |
| Shaft horsepower, kW | 2–5 MW | 2–4 MW |
| Overall system efficiency | 45–60%1 | PW127 is >20% above 40% PP, otherwise <30%2 |
| Maintenance overhaul interval | TBC | TBC |
| Fuel consumption hour/kg/eng | 60–70 | 320–350 |
| Direct CO2 emissions per hour3 | Nil | 1000–1100 kg |
| NOx and other emissions per ho3 | Nil | PW127F @ MCR, 2.2gCO/kg, 0gUHC/kg, 15.6gNOx/kg4 |
| Contrails3 | 60–80% reduction | No mitigation |
What ZeroAvia calls “hydrogen-electric aircraft engines” might be more familiar to Electrek readers as “HFCEVs in the sky,” which use hydrogen (in the case of ZeroAvia, really cold hydrogen) in fuel cells to generate electricity that powers electric motors turning propellers. And, with regional turboprop aircraft operating below typical contrail formation, the company says its powertrain’s in-flight emissions are, “effectively zero.”
More importantly to airlines like Loganair, American, and aviation startup EcoJet, however, are the potential cost-savings involved.
Importantly, these novel engines promise cost reductions for airlines. The substantially lower maintenance needs of hydrogen-electric engines will mean a decrease in maintenance and downtime for an airline’s fleet, with hydrogen fuel also projected to be significantly more cost effective than kerosene over time.
ZEROAVIA
With the cost and relative dirtiness of hydrogen making it “impossible” for it to be taken seriously as a fuel for sustainable ground-based transportation, it remains to be seen if either H or Loganair will have better luck in the skies — especially as more and more hydrogen projects stall in just about every industry and the big energy companies seem to be regrouping around EVs.
As such, you won’t find an “Electrek’s Take” section on this one. All the same, we’d love to hear what you think about hydrogen’s prospects as an avgas alternative in the comments.
SOURCE | IMAGES: ZeroAvia.
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Environment
BYD Yangwang launches ultra-swanky U8L SUV with 24k gold emblems (don’t worry, this one floats too)
BYD’s ultra-luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, launched its fourth all-electric model in China, and it’s another design marvel. Like its U8 predecessor, the Yangwang U8L SUV has “Emergency Float Mode.” Plus, this one can tank turn, is powered by four motors, and has 24-karat emblems. Check out one of the most expensive new BEVs in China.
Yangwang, which directly translates to “looking up” or “admire,” is an ultra-premium brand under the BYD umbrella introduced in 2023. The luxury-centric marque turned some heads out of the gate at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled the U8 SUV, which can go amphibious in emergencies and crabwalk.
Since then, Yangwang has followed up with a 1,200-horsepower electric supercar called the U9, hands down the most beautiful vehicle I saw during my visit to the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show.
In early 2024, Yangwang unveiled its first sedan, the 500-mile range U7, to complete an initial trio of flagship models. By August, we learned Yangwang was hard at work on a fourth model – a third-row variant of the U8 SUV called the U8L – which promised to be longer and even more luxurious.
Today, Yangwang officially launched the U8L in China, beginning in a single “Dingshi Edition” trim that starts at RMB 1.28 million ($179,800) – debuting as one of the most expensive models amongst all Chinese automakers.
Yangwang U8L offers Rolls-Royce-style luxury
Today’s launch marks Yangwang’s deeper push into the luxury SUV market in China, looking to compete against brands like Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. Yangwang’s new U8L takes the U8 to another level, offering more space and other comforts.
For example, the Yangwang U8 measures 5,319 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, and 1,930 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. In comparison, the new U8L measures 5,400 mm long, 2,049 mm wide, and 1,921 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm.
The longer length and wheelbase allow for a new third row atop BYD’s e4 platform, which also houses four electric motors. That powertrain configuration combines for 880 kW (1,180 horsepower) and peak torque of 1,280 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Not bad for an SUV.
Per Yangwang, the U8L also comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-P body control system—the Chinese automaker’s most advanced version, enabling premium comfort and stability on any terrain. The U8L also features BYD’s most advanced ADAS, “God’s Eye A.” In the images above, multiple sensors are visible above the windshield.
Other features include emergency flotation mode, blown tire stability, tank turns, and a crabwalk. Plus, fully reclining seats, window privacy curtains, and a rear storage fridge for your Cristal. Due to its size, the Yangwang U8L’s all-electric CLTC range is only 200 km (124 miles), but it features a hybrid range extender that boosts its overall range to 1,160 km (700 miles).
What do you think about this SUV?
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The bZ7 is about the size of a Tesla Model S and way nicer than you’d expect. Toyota’s new flagship EV is not only stunning-looking, it’s also loaded with advanced tech.
Meet the bZ7, Toyota’s new flagship EV
Toyota’s joint venture in China, GAC-Toyota, unveiled official images of the bZ7 this week, its new flagship all-electric sedan.
The bZ7 is 5,130 mm long, which is slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L. Although it has Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front end design, like the new Camry and Crown, the flagship EV is a big step up from the Toyota vehicles we see on the road today.
Toyota said its new EV has “a luxurious and elegant figure,” and we’d have to agree. From the side, it has a sleek, fastback design that blends sporty and elegant. The long, triangular side windows open up the interior.
The bZ7 is also Toyota’s most advanced EV yet. It will be the first vehicle to feature Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, which unlocks new functions such as controlling smart home appliances directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system or your smartphone.
Forgot to set the air? Xiaomi’s smart tech allows you to control it on the go. During its tech day event in June, Toyota announced new partnerships with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei, or what it called the “car industry bigwigs,” for the latest tech and software.
The bZ7 has a Lidar installed on the roof, which will be used to support Momenta’s latest smart driving system, Momenta 6.0. It’s expected to be offered on higher trim options.
On the inside, the cabin is a step change from most Toyota models with a minimalist, elegant layout. It features a floating central touchscreen, a driver display screen, and a wireless phone charger.
Toyota’s flagship EV will also use Huawei’s electric motors and its new HarmonyOS cockpit system. According to Li Hui, the General Manager of Toyota China, “To deliver cars that people want in China, we need Chinese brains and hands involved in development.
We will learn prices, battery specs, and range closer to the bZ7’s official debut, which is expected later this year. Toyota’s new flagship EV will join the bZ3X and bZ4X as it fights for its spot in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from British bike maker Boost, Dahon launching an IPO, the NYPD may soon confiscate non UL-certified e-bikes, Honda has a new e-motorcycle coming, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):
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