Ampaire and Black & Veatch to develop electric aviation infrastructure

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Ampaire is collaborating with Black & Veatch to develop infrastructure which supports airport electrification. The two firms will work to together to plan, engineer and construct infrastructure for electric air mobility at airports in the Americas, Europe and Asia. 

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the two firms will focus on creating clean-energy-powered charging and a SAF fuelling supply.

“Ampaire is committed to putting zero-emissions aircraft into widespread service by mid-decade. These hybrid-electric aircraft will benefit from the buildout of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electric charging infrastructure, making zero emission possible for meaningful service range. That’s why we consider this teaming arrangement so important,” said Susan Ying, senior vice president of global partnerships for Ampaire.

“Aircraft companies must be involved in defining airport fuelling and charging infrastructure. We are therefore very pleased to work with Black & Veatch on this common objective,” added Ying.

Ampaire has already flown 481miles nonstop from Perth, Scotland, to Exeter in southwest England back in August 2021 with its “Electric EEL” aircraft – a six-seat Cessna, modified with hybrid-electric propulsion. It is to date the longest flight by a commercial-sized, hybrid-electric aircraft.

Paul Stith, Black & Veatch’s associate vice president of global transportation initiatives, said: “Governments, companies and communities around the world are making lowering their carbon footprints a priority, and the transportation sector is helping accelerate positive change. Decarbonisation of aviation is challenging and requires technology and collaboration. Tackling emissions with concurrent SAF and electrification strategies offers a shining example of what’s possible in doing things cleaner and greener, and we’re excited about working with Ampaire to reshape tomorrow’s air mobility through infrastructure and innovation.”