UK axial-flux motors will power French cargo-carrying airships
5 February 2025 
Image: Business Wire
Evolito, a UK developer of axial-flux electric motors, is supplying motors to Flying Whales, a French aerospace start-up, to propel an airship capable of transporting loads of up to 60 tonnes. Evolito will provide 32 of its its D250 propulsion motors for the 200m-long LCA60T airship, which is due to make its first test flight in 2027.
Flying Whales is aiming to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to promote greener logistics worldwide. It airships are aimed, in particular, at regions with limited infrastructure.
Evolito claims that its motors deliver the highest power, torque and energy densities in their class, and are more robust than rival technologies. It adds that the 13kg motors, capable of delivering 240kW of peak power, are the smallest and lightest in their class with power densities of 18.5kW/kg.
Evolito claims that its axial-flux motors deliver the highest power, torque and energy densities in their class“When designing an airship, weight is critical,” points out Flying Whales’ CEO, Vincent Guibout. “In the three years we have been working together, Evolito has demonstrated the ability to deliver best-in-class power density from its unique axial-flux electric motors, along with the ability to ramp production to meet our forecast requirements.
“There is an excellent synergy between our teams – we share the same passion for enabling electric flight through engineering excellence and innovation,” he adds, “and I look forward to working with Evolito towards the first LCA60T flight, and beyond into production and commercial operation.”
Oxford-based Evolito spun out of the British axial-motor specialist Yasa when Mercedez-Benz acquired Yasa in 2022. Evolito is developing and commercialising axial-flux motors, control electronics and battery systems for aerospace applications. Axial-flux motors need up to 75% less iron, copper and permanent magnets than radial motor designs, making them lighter and more environmentally-friendly.
In 2023, Evolito was awarded Design Organisation Approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and is working towards POA and ISO9001 later this year, which will help to reduce certification costs for Flying Whales.
“Flying Whales’ LCA60T airship is a truly inspirational aircraft, demonstrating that electric flight can help solve global challenges – from reducing harmful emissions to delivering critical infrastructure sustainably,” says Evolito’s co-founder and CEO, Dr Chris Harris. “Evolito’s unique axial-flux technology enables a new class of lightweight, compact and high-performance electric motor, opening up many new aircraft designs, mission profiles and use cases, setting new standards in electric propulsion for aerospace.”
Evolito: LinkedIn
