Bicester’s Evolito to supply motors to Flying Whales airships

Bicester-based motor manufacturer Evolito has once again partnered with Flying Whales to get the French startup’s latest large capacity airship off the ground.

Airships are designed to transport heavy and oversized cargo, especially in regions with limited infrastructure.

Evolito will provide its D250 electric propulsion motor for the 200-metre-long LCA60T airship, which is due to make its debut test flight in 2027 and will carry loads of up to 60 tonnes.

Each ship is to be powered by 32 D250 motors – the smallest and lighting in their class.

The Oxfordshire firm was also chosen for its ability to scale production to meet Flying Whales’ forecast.

Dr Chris Harris, CEO and co-founder of Evolito, 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.”

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

“In the three years we’ve been working together, Evolito has demonstrated the ability to deliver best-in-class power density from its unique axial flux electric motors.

“There’s 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.”

Evolito was awarded design organisation approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority in 2023 and is working towards POA and ISO9001 later this year.