Evolito files for CAA type certification of E800 electric engine for Electra EL9

UK-based electric engine developer Evolito has taken a decisive step towards commercial electric flight by submitting its E800 electric engine for type certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This powerplant is designed for integration on Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. The move marks a key milestone as it transitions from development and testing phases to a certified aerospace product, enabling wider adoption of electric propulsion technology in aviation.

The E800 engine represents the first member of Evolito’s larger E800 Series family, envisioned to power multiple future aircraft platforms. Evolito intends to leverage the certification framework established via the EL9 program to accelerate approval of subsequent models, thus creating a scalable path for integrating electric engines into propeller-driven aircraft. By pursuing type certification under SC-E19, the special condition for electric and hybrid propulsion, Evolito aims to align with safety and regulatory standards rigorously tailored for this emerging technology.

Evolito CEO Dr Chris Harris emphasized the significance of the type certificate application beyond regulatory compliance, highlighting it as proof of the maturity in the company’s engineering design, processes, and organizational capabilities. Since initiating its electric propulsion development several years ago, Evolito has built a robust foundation encompassing engineering rigor, certification expertise, and industrial-scale manufacturing readiness, essential elements for bringing certified electric propulsion systems to the market.

The E800 engine itself integrates proprietary axial-flux motor technology optimized specifically for aerospace use, particularly for propeller-driven aircraft. The compact design incorporates integrated controls, cooling, and a propeller-load-bearing architecture engineered for certification and volume production. This approach aims to deliver both high-performance metrics and manufacturability—a critical balance for commercial viability of electric aircraft powerplants.

The submission has attracted endorsements from government and aviation stakeholders. The UK’s Industry Minister Chris McDonald highlighted this milestone as a prime example of the country converting innovative aerospace research into tangible technologies that will underpin the next generation of flight. His remarks underline the strategic importance the UK places on maintaining a competitive aerospace industry at the cutting edge of advanced propulsion systems.

Veteran aviation certification expert Dr Richard Shepherd, Head of Airworthiness at Evolito and former Rolls-Royce Airworthiness lead, contextualized the significance of this application. He stressed that electric propulsion is transitioning from experimental and demonstrative stages into certifiable, scalable, and commercially deployable technology. Shepherd expressed pride in leading the certification effort in coordination with airframers and regulatory authorities, reflecting the collaborative progress in this sector.

Evolito’s partnership with Electra is a central component of the certification project. Electra selected Evolito as the supplier of electric propulsion units (EPUs) for the EL9 aircraft in October 2025. Concurrently, Safran has been confirmed as a key partner providing power components for Electra’s EL9 hybrid platform, illustrating a broader ecosystem forming around hybrid-electric aviation technologies in the UK and Europe.

This development illustrates a growing momentum in the aerospace sector’s electrification efforts, combining innovative propulsion designs, rigorous certification programs, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Evolito’s E800 certification application represents one of the first critical steps toward operationalizing electric propulsion in commercial aviation, especially for ultra-short-range aircraft missions, where hybrid-electric systems promise to reduce emissions and operational costs.