BICESTER, UK – July 2026:
Evolito has announced the submission of its Type Certificate application for the E800 electric engine, initially intended for integration on Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. The application represents a significant milestone in the company’s journey from technology development to certified aerospace products and demonstrates the maturity of both the E800 programme and Evolito’s broader industrial and certification capabilities. The Type Certificate application is for the E800 Series Electric Engine, with the first certified configuration designated the E800-A1 for the EL9 aircraft. This is the first type certification application in a family of products based around Evolito’s proprietary axial flux motor technology.
The submission formally initiates the certification programme with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and marks the transition from experimental engine development to the formal regulatory process required for commercial deployment. The E800 programme is being developed in accordance with the certification framework established for electric propulsion systems, building on Evolito’s Design Organisation Approval and extensive investment in engineering, compliance and industrialisation capabilities. Evolito’s certification programme proposes a certification basis under SC-E19, the special condition governing electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
“This is a defining moment for Evolito,” said Dr Chris Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Evolito.”
“Submitting our Type Certificate application is far more than a regulatory milestone. It is evidence of the maturity of our products, our processes and our organisation. Over the last several years we have built the engineering foundations, certification capability and industrial infrastructure required to bring certified electric propulsion to market. This week’s submission is the next step in the journey to making electrification of the aerospace market a reality.”
Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:
“This milestone from Evolito shows how the UK is turning world-class innovation into the technologies that will power the next generation of flight. It’s exactly the kind of ambition that will strengthen our industrial base and keep Britain at the cutting edge of advanced aerospace.” “Through our Modern Industrial Strategy, we are backing the aerospace sector to grow, invest and create high-skilled jobs across the UK, helping ensure Britain remains at the forefront of the next generation of aerospace technologies.”
The E800 is a fully integrated electric engine designed specifically for aerospace propulsion applications and optimised for propeller-driven aircraft. The engine combines Evolito’s proprietary axial-flux motor technology with integrated controls, cooling and propeller-load-bearing architecture in a compact package, engineered for certification and volume production. Evolito’s E800 platform is designed for civil certification and incorporates DAL-A control system architecture, reflecting the stringent safety approach taken by the company in its engine design.
The programme’s first application is Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short, a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft that uses distributed electric propulsion to deliver take-off and landing capabilities in as little as 150 feet. The fixed-wing aircraft is designed to unlock new regional connectivity opportunities while significantly reducing noise, emissions and infrastructure requirements compared with conventional aircraft. Electra recently received their G-1 Issue Paper from the FAA on its path towards EL9 certification under FAA Part 23, while the E800 engine will follow an SC-E19 certification pathway with concurrent FAA validation.
The certification submission follows extensive development work across the E800 platform, including the development of a digital twin for advanced multi-modal simulation, safety assessments, software planning, hardware development, system architecture definition and compliance planning as well as early “virtual builds” to ensure manufacturing feasibility is maintained. These activities have established the foundation required to demonstrate compliance with the rigorous safety, reliability and performance requirements expected of commercial aerospace propulsion systems.
Importantly, the milestone demonstrates growing momentum across the electric aviation sector. While much of the industry’s early focus centred on proving electric propulsion technology, the emphasis is increasingly shifting towards certification, production readiness and entry into service. Evolito’s submission reflects this transition and highlights the progress being made toward bringing certified electric propulsion solutions into commercial operation.
“Certification is where aerospace innovation becomes aerospace reality,” said Dr Richard Shepherd, Head of Airworthiness and former Rolls-Royce Airworthiness lead. “This application demonstrates that electric propulsion is moving beyond concept studies and flight demonstrations. It is becoming a certifiable, scalable and commercially deployable technology. We are proud to be helping lead that transition, not just with the airframers but also with the certifying authorities.”
The E800 certification programme is intended to establish a certified propulsion platform that can support multiple future aircraft applications, creating a foundation for broader adoption of electric propulsion across regional, business and advanced aviation markets. Evolito describes the E800 as the first member of an E800 Series electric engine family, with future aircraft applications expected to leverage the certification framework established through the EL9 programme.
With the application now submitted, Evolito will continue working closely with regulators, Electra and its supply chain partners as the programme progresses through the certification process.
