FutureFlight
ZeroAvia Enlists Military Truck For Hydrogen Propulsion Ground Tests
The start-up's HyperTruck has been fitted with the 600 kW powertrain that it intends to use to convert 19-seat aircraft to hydrogen-electric propulsion.
ZeroAvia HyperTruck
ZeroAvia is using a converted military truck for ground tests with its 600 kW hydrogen-electric propulsion system. (Photo: ZeroAvia)

Hydrogen propulsion pioneer ZeroAvia is taking a new approach to ground testing the 600-kW powertrain it is developing for 19-seat aircraft. At its headquarters in Hollister, California, the startup company is using a 15-ton HyperTruck as a platform for ground trials of the system.

The truck, which is based on a heavy-duty military vehicle, has been configured with the powertrain and propellers installed on a special rig to pull it along a stretch of tarmac. The HyperTruck will also be able to accommodate ground testing of ZeroAvia’s 2 MW+ ZA-2000 powertrain that is expected to be able to power 40- to 80-seat hydrogen-electric regional airliners.