Heart Aerospace is developing a regional hybrid-electric aircraft with a projected battery range of 200km for short-haul flights.

In 2021, the Swedish start-up announced its intention to “decarbonise and democratise air travel” with the development of a 19-passenger all-electric short-range airliner, the ES-19.

This then evolved into the 30-passenger ES-30. Rather than being fully electric, Heart decided that to extend the range of the aircraft it would include a “reserve-hybrid” configuration.

This set-up enables a fully electric range of 200km, in which the four electric propeller motors are powered solely by BAE Systems-designed batteries, and an extended hybrid range of 400km, in which the motors are powered by two aviation-fuel-burning turbo generators. With a lighter load of 25 passengers (and their luggage), the latter hybrid range extends to 800km.

Heart Aerospace has announced that it hopes to achieve type certification in 2028 in Europe, with the aim of transporting passengers...