Swedish investment and aircraft leasing company Rockton is to buy up to 40 of Heart Aerospace’s regional electric airplane, the ES-30.
Rockton has agreed firm purchase orders for 20 ES-30s with purchase rights for 20 more of the model, which, when it becomes available in 2028, will have a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers driven by electric motors with battery derived energy and with a "fully electric zero emissions range of 200 kilometers".
“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, chief executive of Rockton, who praised the aircraft's reserve-hybrid configuration for allowing "a meaningful range and payload for the commercial airline market" and the potential for enhanced performance as new improved battery technology becomes available.
The aircraft will have a range off 400 kilometers with 30 passengers and flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, all including typical airline reserves.
“The Nordic region will be a leader in the adoption of electric aviation 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,” said Simon Newitt, chief commercial officer at Heart Aerospace.