Vertical Aerospace Selects Evolito as Electric Propulsion Unit Partner for its Valo eVTOL Aircraft
Evolito will supply the electric propulsion engines which will power Vertical Aerospace’s Valo eVTOL aircraft, as part of a new long-term partnership between both companies.
Under the agreement, Evolito will provide its unique EPU architecture, lightweight, efficient electric motors and high-integrity DAL‑A power electronics, integrated into a single electric engin.. This will provide the extended range, high performance and built-in redundancy required for Valo’s entry into commercial service.
These are critical requirements for Valo’s certification to similar safety standards as large commercial airliners, targeted in 2028.
Chris Harris, CEO of Evolito, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Vertical Aerospace, a company that shares our vision for a cleaner, more connected future. Our engines are designed to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace, and we’re excited to contribute to the success of Vertical’s aircraft with propulsion systems that deliver unmatched performance and efficiency.”
As part of the partnership, Vertical and Evolito plan to jointly certify the EPUs with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with concurrent validation with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is expected to be followed by global regulator validation. Evolito holds CAA Design Organisation Approval – a prerequisite for UK type certification and commercial operations.
Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant offering greater range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the Advanced Air Mobility market, with Evolito’s EPUs integrated into the platform. The hybrid-electric variant is scheduled to begin flight testing in mid-2026.
David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical Aerospace, said: “Vertical’s approach to Valo is grounded in rigorous engineering and certification discipline.
“Our collaboration is centred on delivering a propulsion system that provides the performance, redundancy and reliability required for airliner-level safety standards, while remaining practical for commercial operations. It’s a partnership built around getting the fundamentals right.”
Strengthening the UK’s AAM ecosystem
This partnership supports the UK Government’s ambition to lead in aerospace innovation, backed by £2.3 billion of funding over the next decade through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to accelerate the development of cleaner, more efficient aircraft. ATI support has played a key role in advancing the EPUs and aircraft technologies underpinning this collaboration.
Chris McDonald, Industry Minister, said: “This is a welcome win for Britain’s world-class aerospace sector, which will help us stay at the cutting edge of innovation and continue leading the way on zero emission flight.
“We’re backing companies like Vertical and Evolito with support through our modern Industrial Strategy and the Aerospace Technology Institute, while the CAA’s world-leading regulation is helping the industry soar and create good jobs right across the country.”
Evolito was spun out of YASA in 2021 to commercialise next-generation electric motor technology for the rapidly growing aerospace market.
YASA is a world-leading pioneer of axial-flux electric motors and was acquired by Mercedes-Benz in July 2021. Evolito’s engineering team brings deep aerospace expertise, and its technology has been chosen for Electra’s hybrid-electric aircraft programme.
