Heart Aerospace unveils hybrid-electric airplane in Gothenburg, Sept 2024

On September 12, 2024, Heart Aerospace unveiled its first full-scale demonstrator for a regional hybrid-electric aircraft, the ES-30, in Gothenburg, Sweden. This significant milestone showcases the company's commitment to developing sustainable aviation technologies. The demonstrator, named Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1), features a 32-meter wingspan and will undergo extensive ground-based testing, focusing on critical systems such as charging operations and taxiing. The development of the Heart X1 has been largely conducted in-house, reflecting Heart Aerospace's strategy to innovate both design and production processes simultaneously. The project has received funding from the Swedish Innovation Agency, Vinnova, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between government and industry in advancing new aviation technologies. The CEO, Anders Forslund, highlighted the urgency of decarbonizing aviation within the next 25 years, underscoring the need for rapid innovation. Following the Heart X1, the company plans to build a pre-production prototype, the Heart X2, which is scheduled for a hybrid flight in 2026. This prototype will further refine the design and production methods based on insights gained from the Heart X1. The ultimate goal is to achieve type certification for the ES-30 by the end of the decade, paving the way for a new era of sustainable air travel. Heart Aerospace aims to revolutionize the aerospace industry by developing net-zero propulsion technologies, drawing inspiration from advancements in the automotive and space sectors. The ES-30, with a capacity for 30 passengers, promises to enhance sustainability and efficiency in short-haul aviation.