Evolito Selected to Supply Electric Propulsion Motors for Flying Whales’ Revolutionary Airships
Evolito Limited proudly announces its collaboration with Flying Whales, a pioneering company at the forefront of large-capacity airship development. This partnership marks a significant milestone in sustainable cargo aviation, bringing together cutting-edge engineering and environmental responsibility to revolutionize the transportation of heavy and oversized freight. With a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, Evolito and Flying Whales are set to redefine the possibilities of air logistics.
A Transformational Collaboration in Aviation
The global logistics industry is continuously evolving to meet increasing demands for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions. One of the biggest challenges in cargo transport is delivering heavy and oversized loads to remote or underdeveloped regions where traditional infrastructure such as roads, railways, and ports are either insufficient or entirely absent. Flying Whales aims to solve this problem with its revolutionary LCA60T airship, a 200-meter-long aircraft capable of carrying up to 60 tonnes of cargo.
Evolito has been chosen as the official supplier of electric propulsion motors for Flying Whales’ LCA60T. The company’s advanced D250 electric motor will play a crucial role in powering this groundbreaking airship, set for its maiden test flight in 2027. The selection of Evolito underscores the growing importance of lightweight, high-efficiency electric propulsion in aviation, particularly in applications that demand both high power output and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Why Evolito’s D250 Motor?
Flying Whales chose the D250 electric propulsion motor for its unparalleled power and torque density. The D250 stands out as an industry leader, offering a power density of 18.5 kW/kg. Each unit is capable of delivering a peak power of 240 kW while weighing just 13 kg. These specifications make the D250 an ideal choice for aerospace applications where minimizing weight while maximizing efficiency is of paramount importance.
Another critical factor in Flying Whales’ decision was Evolito’s ability to scale production to meet the ambitious manufacturing targets of the LCA60T program. With plans for multiple airships in operation, Flying Whales required an electric propulsion partner that could not only provide high-performance technology but also meet stringent production forecasts without compromising quality or reliability. Evolito’s extensive experience in high-volume production of axial-flux electric motors gave it a competitive edge, securing its place as a key technology partner in this visionary project.
A Leap Forward in Sustainable Aviation
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and transition toward greener alternatives. Airships, which historically played a significant role in cargo transport before the dominance of fixed-wing aircraft, are experiencing a resurgence due to their potential for low-emission logistics. The LCA60T airship is designed specifically to address the challenges of cargo transport while significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to conventional air freight solutions.
By utilizing Evolito’s advanced electric motors, the LCA60T will operate with a much lower carbon footprint than traditional cargo aircraft, which rely on fossil fuels. Electrification in aviation is a crucial step toward achieving net-zero emissions, and this partnership represents a bold move toward sustainable logistics.
Flying Whales’ unique approach allows cargo to be loaded and unloaded while the airship hovers in place, eliminating the need for airports or runways. This capability makes the LCA60T particularly valuable for industries such as forestry, construction, and humanitarian aid, where access to remote areas is a logistical challenge. With electric propulsion as a core component of its design, the LCA60T not only offers a more sustainable alternative but also reduces operational costs associated with fuel consumption and maintenance.
Certification and Regulatory Milestones
Evolito’s expertise extends beyond just producing high-performance electric motors. The company has also achieved critical certifications that reinforce its ability to deliver aerospace-grade solutions. In 2023, Evolito was awarded Design Organisation Approval (DOA) by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a key milestone that underscores its commitment to safety and compliance in aerospace applications.
Additionally, Evolito is working toward Production Organisation Approval (POA) and ISO9001 certification, both of which will further streamline the certification process for Flying Whales. By securing these approvals, Evolito ensures that its propulsion systems meet the rigorous standards required for aviation, reducing certification costs and accelerating the timeline for integrating its motors into operational aircraft.
Voices from Industry Leaders
The collaboration between Evolito and Flying Whales is not just a technical partnership—it represents a shared vision for the future of sustainable aviation. Vincent Guibout, CEO of Flying Whales, emphasized the importance of weight efficiency and production scalability in selecting Evolito as their propulsion partner:
When designing an airship, weight is critical. 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 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 toward the first LCA60T flight and beyond into production and commercial operation.
Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and co-founder of Evolito, highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership:
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 motors, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles, and use cases—setting new standards in electric propulsion for aerospace.
Evolito is at the cutting edge of electric flight, pioneering world-class electric axial flux motors, motor controls, and battery systems for the aerospace market. The company’s propulsion systems offer the highest power, torque, and energy densities in their class and are inherently more robust than alternative technologies. This reliability is mission-critical in applications such as eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing), urban air mobility, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.
A privately held company based in Oxford, Evolito is backed by investors such as B-Flexion and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), reinforcing its position as a leader in electric propulsion technology. With a vision to make electric flight a reality, Evolito continues to push the boundaries of innovation, setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in aviation.
The Future of Air Cargo
The partnership between Evolito and Flying Whales represents a major step forward in the future of air cargo and sustainable aviation. By combining state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology with a revolutionary airship design, this collaboration has the potential to redefine the way heavy cargo is transported worldwide.
As the aviation industry seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and adopt greener alternatives, projects like the LCA60T airship serve as a blueprint for what is possible. With its ability to carry massive loads to regions with limited infrastructure, the LCA60T is set to become a game-changer in logistics, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.
With the first test flight scheduled for 2027, the world will soon witness the dawn of a new era in air transportation—one where electric propulsion and airship technology converge to create a cleaner, more efficient future for global logistics.
