H55 receives support from Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
H55 has received support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) to fast track global expansion.
The Swiss-based company has reported increasing demand for its applications in the North American market. H55’s Canadian presence will include customer technology development, manufacturing, and customer support.
H55 has established a fully owned subsidiary in Canada, H55 Inc. Located in the greater Montreal area, the subsidiary will serve and work closely alongside Pratt& Whitney Canada (P&WC), CAE and Harbour Air. A manufacturing facility is in the process of being secured, with initial battery pack production beginning in 2024.
André Borschberg, H55’s co-founder and executive chairman said having CED as a partner is an important validation. “Being present in Canada is a first step in building out our North America presence,” he said. “There is a strategic fit with Canada given the country’s leading competitive position in the aviation sector and its commitment to sustainable aviation. CED’s commitment in supporting H55 illustrates a shared vision in making air transportation quiet, clean, and affordable. All the prerequisites for a successful partnership are in place.”
H55 has been active in Canada since 2021. Customers include: P&WC, who selected H55 in 2022 to provide battery systems for it’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator. This was followed by an investment in H55 by RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of Raytheon Technologies, the parent company of P&WC.
H55 is providing CAE with the energy storage and management system for it’s Piper Archer electric aircraft modification programme. It is also designing and manufacturing the aircraft battery system to support CAE’s effort to convert its Piper Archer training fleet.
In 2021, H55 struck a partnership with Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane operator, to produce battery packs for the first electric Beaver commuter through a supplemental type certificate.
The Honorable Pascale St-Onge, member of parliament for Brome–Missisquoi and Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, said the Canadian government has made “concrete commitments” to show that a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.
“Among other things, we are making strategic investments in clean technologies, a priority in our economic recovery plan,” said St-Onge. “As minister responsible for CED, I am proud to be able to announce that CED is supporting the launch of H55 Canada Inc. in Quebec. By leveraging innovative projects such as this one, which is boosting the development and adoption of sustainable propulsion in the aeronautics sector, we are investing in the greater well-being of future generations.”
