Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Vertical Aerospace has confirmed plans to develop a hybrid-electric version of its VX4 eVTOL aircraft. The new variant announced on May 12 is expected to offer longer range than the all-electric model, operating on routes of up to 1,000 miles (870 nm).
The UK-based company said that a second-generation version of its hybrid-electric propulsion system will be retrofitted to one of its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-03-12/verticals-third-vx4-evtol-aircraft-prototype-takes-shape">VX4 full-scale prototypes</a>&nbsp;and will be ready to start flight testing during the second quarter of 2025. It has been in development at the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-03-14/vertical-aerospace-opens-vertical-energy-centre-evtol-battery-development">Vertical Energy Centre</a> in Bristol for the past 18 months and includes the company’s proprietary batteries.
According to Vertical, various configurations of the hybrid-electric aircraft will be available for applications including defense, logistics, air ambulance services, and commercial passenger flights. It will be designed for autonomous, remotely piloted, or pilot-on-board operations.
Projected payload for the new model will be 1,100 kilograms (2,420 pounds). Vertical has not specified the certified payload for the four-passenger all-electric VX4, which will have a range of 100 miles (87 nm). When it first mentioned plans for an upgraded version of the aircraft in November 2024 as part of its Flightpath 2030 strategy, the company indicated that this model may have the capacity to carry six passengers.
Vertical is now working to achieve UK and EASA type certification for the all-electric VX4 in 2028. It previously indicated that new versions of the aircraft might be ready for market in 2030.
“The demand for long-range, high-payload, quiet aircraft is growing rapidly, especially across defense and critical logistics,” said Vertical’s CEO, Stuart Simpson. “Our hybrid-electric VTOL strategy builds on our existing electric platform, world-class battery technology, and a large, versatile airframe, allowing us to offer uniquely scalable solutions that unlock a new frontier in air mobility and revenue stream for Vertical.”
According to Vertical, its engineers have already validated the hybrid-electric propulsion architecture through bench testing. This work has included the integration of the control algorithms between the power unit and the battery. The company claimed that the VX4 airframe can more readily accommodate the new powertrain than smaller eVTOL designs.
<h2>Cash Spending on Track</h2>
Also on May 12, Vertical released first-quarter financial results, reporting that as of March 31, it held £69 million ($89 million) in cash or equivalents, which it said is sufficient to fund operations into the fourth quarter of this year. For the next 12 months, running through to the end of the 2025 financial year, it expects to spend around £90 million, mainly on the VX4 program.
By the end of the second quarter of this year, Vertical expects to receive approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to start piloted wingborne flight tests with its eVTOL prototype. It plans to complete all piloted transition flight demonstrations this year and has recently expanded its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-05-08/honeywell-expands-role-vertical-aerospaces-vx4-evtol-aircraft">partnership with Honeywell</a>.
“2025 is on pace to be a transformational year for Vertical as we advance our piloted flight test program and move into the final flight test phases,” Simpson commented. "With the announcement of our hybrid-electric program, opening up new high-value markets, and the expansion of our partnership with Honeywell to certify critical flight systems, we are deepening our technical and commercial edge."
Vertical has reported what it calls pre-orders for around 1,500 of the VX4 aircraft. Prospective operators include American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Gol, and Bristow.

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