Evolito to Power the Future of Air Mobility with Cutting-Edge Electric Propulsion for Flying Whales’ Groundbreaking Airships
Evolito Limited has announced an exciting new collaboration with Flying Whales, a forward-thinking company revolutionizing the future of large-capacity airships. This strategic partnership represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable aviation, particularly in the realm of cargo transport. By combining Evolito’s cutting-edge electric propulsion technology with Flying Whales’ innovative airship designs, the companies aim to create a greener, more efficient solution for heavy cargo transportation.
Flying Whales’ flagship airship, the LCA60T, is an engineering marvel. Measuring an impressive 200 meters in length, it has been meticulously designed to transport loads of up to 60 tonnes. The airship is intended to provide an innovative logistics solution, particularly in regions where traditional infrastructure is either inadequate or non-existent. This makes it an ideal transport option for industries such as forestry, renewable energy, and humanitarian aid, where access to remote locations can be challenging.
Evolito will play a crucial role in this ambitious project by supplying its state-of-the-art D250 electric propulsion motor. This advanced motor is renowned for its exceptional power and torque density, characteristics that make it perfectly suited for aviation applications where weight and efficiency are critical. Each LCA60T airship will be powered by 32 D250 motors, ensuring that it has the thrust and maneuverability required for safe and effective operation.
The selection of Evolito’s D250 motor was driven by multiple factors, including its unparalleled performance capabilities. The D250 is one of the smallest and lightest electric motors in its category, boasting a remarkable power density of 18.5kW/kg. It delivers 240kW of peak power while weighing just 13kg, making it an optimal choice for applications where weight savings are paramount. Furthermore, Evolito’s ability to scale production and meet Flying Whales’ manufacturing demands played a key role in securing this collaboration.
In addition to its technological advantages, Evolito is also an industry leader in regulatory compliance. In 2023, the company was awarded Design Organisation Approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a testament to its commitment to safety and quality in the aerospace sector. Evolito is also working towards achieving Production Organisation Approval (POA) and ISO 9001 certification later this year, which will help streamline the certification process for Flying Whales’ airships and reduce overall development costs.
This partnership is not just about technical compatibility—it is also about shared vision and synergy. Both companies are committed to advancing electric aviation and leveraging engineering excellence to create more sustainable transportation solutions. This shared passion for innovation was echoed by Flying Whales’ CEO, Vincent Guibout, who expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“When designing an airship, weight is critical,” said Guibout. “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 up 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. I look forward to working with Evolito towards the first LCA60T flight and beyond into production and commercial operation.”
Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and co-founder of Evolito, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the transformative potential of the LCA60T airship.
“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,” said Harris. “Evolito’s unique axial-flux technology enables a new class of lightweight, compact, and high-performance electric motors, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles, and use cases—setting new standards in electric propulsion for aerospace.”
The implications of this partnership extend beyond the aviation industry. The LCA60T airship represents a significant leap forward in environmentally sustainable logistics, offering an alternative to traditional cargo transport methods that are heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Airships such as the LCA60T have the potential to drastically reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, providing a cleaner way to move goods, particularly in areas where building roads or railways is either impractical or too expensive.
Moreover, the electric propulsion system developed by Evolito contributes to a broader movement toward decarbonization in aerospace. Electric motors are more energy-efficient, produce zero emissions during operation, and require less maintenance compared to conventional fuel-based propulsion systems. As aviation regulators around the world continue to push for more stringent environmental standards, partnerships like that of Evolito and Flying Whales demonstrate how the industry can rise to the challenge.
As the development of the LCA60T progresses, all eyes will be on its inaugural test flight, scheduled for 2027. This milestone will mark a significant achievement in the integration of electric propulsion systems into large-scale aircraft. If successful, it could pave the way for even larger and more ambitious electric airship projects in the future, further cementing the role of electric propulsion in sustainable aviation.
Looking ahead, Flying Whales and Evolito will continue working closely to refine and optimize the propulsion system, ensuring that it meets both performance and safety standards required for commercial operations. The long-term vision includes the possibility of scaling the technology to accommodate future airship models with even greater payload capacities and operational capabilities.
The collaboration between Evolito and Flying Whales serves as a powerful example of how technological innovation and strategic partnerships can drive meaningful progress in sustainable transportation. By leveraging electric propulsion, these companies are not only addressing pressing environmental concerns but also opening up new opportunities for industries that rely on efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly logistics solutions.
With the LCA60T set to revolutionize heavy cargo transport and Evolito’s cutting-edge propulsion technology leading the way, the future of airship logistics looks promising. As the world moves toward more sustainable solutions in aviation and beyond, this partnership stands as a beacon of progress, proving that engineering excellence and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
