Electra selects Evolito to supply electric propulsion units for EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft

Summary Points: 

• The EPUs integrate lightweight motors, motor controllers, and thermal controls to drive eight propellers on the wing edge.
• The EL9’s distributed electric propulsion system and blown-lift design enable takeoffs and landings in 150 feet (45 meters).
• Test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and commercial service expected by late 2029 into 2030.

MANASSAS, Va., - Electra.aero Inc. in Manassas, Va., has selected Evolito in Oxford, England, to supply electric propulsion units (EPUs) for Electra's EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, which can take off and land in just 150 feet (45 meters).

Evolito will provide Electra with high-performance EPUs that integrate lightweight motors, high-integrity motor controllers, and advanced thermal controls. Engineered for aerospace-grade reliability and efficiency, these EPUs drive the eight propellers along the edge of the EL9's wing. This distributed electric propulsion system enables the EL9's ultra-high lift, delivering low airspeeds and precision landings.

"Our production contract with Evolito is a significant step forward for our vision for Direct Aviation - safe, quiet, and affordable air mobility that connects communities in ways never before possible," said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. "Evolito's lightweight, durable, and cost-effective design will provide exceptional long-term value for operators through low maintenance, long life, and proven reliability."

Related: Electra.aero shows off military potential of its hybrid USTOL aircraft

"We are thrilled to partner with Electra on the EL9, a game-changing aircraft that aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation," said Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and co-founder of Evolito. "Our engine technology is designed for type-certification and scalable production, making it ideally suited to support Electra's vision for clean, accessible, and efficient regional air travel."

Blown lift

Electra's nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short combines patented blown-lift technology and distributed electric propulsion to take off and land in just 150 feet (45 meters), dramatically reducing noise and emissions while unlocking thousands of new access points for air service. Using electric engines to blow air over the wing and large flaps significantly increases wing lift at very slow speeds, allowing the EL9 to take off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft. Powered wind tunnel tests of the EL9's blown wing have validated lift coefficients greater than 20, or seven times greater than the range typical of unblown wings.

The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and commercial service entry anticipated in late 2029 into 2030 under FAA Part 23 regulations. With more than 2,200 pre-orders from over 60 commercial customers worldwide, including airlines and helicopter operators, the EL9 is already one of the most in-demand aircraft in the advanced air mobility sector.