Heart Aerospace’s backlog for the electric ES-30 aircraft has grown by 40 aircraft after converting an earlier Letter of Intent (LOI) with Swedish lessor Rockton to firm orders for 20 aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more.
The Swedish electric aircraft manufacturer announced the news on May 10, 2023.
Following the order from Rockton, the ES-30 backlog stands at 250 firm orders, options and purchase rights for 120 aircraft, and LOIs for 91 additional electric aircraft.
“The industry’s interest and need to enable a sustainable transition is increasing by the day and the ES-30 is the most promising technology available for the regional aircraft segment,” said Niklas Lund, the Managing Director and Partner of Rockton. “Its reserve-hybrid configuration enables a meaningful range and payload for the commercial airline market and the airplane will be continuously upgraded as new improved battery technology becomes available, making it an asset with enhanced performance the longer you own it.”
According to Simon Newitt, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Heart Aerospace, the Nordic region will be the leader in adopting electric aircraft, with “several concrete infrastructure projects already underway”.
“As a Swedish leasing company, Rockton is clearly a part of this pioneering spirit and we’re happy to have them as a partner,” Newitt added.
The ES-30 is a regional electric aircraft developed by Heart Aerospace with an electric range of 200 kilometers (124.2 miles), while also having an extended reserve hybrid range of 400 km (248.5 mi) with 30 passengers. If the aircraft is carrying 25 travelers, the range goes up to 800 km (497 mi).
In March 2023, BAE Systems and Heart Aerospace announced a partnership to develop the battery system for the ES-30.