Vertical Aerospace has announced it will lead a project to develop next-generation high-power charging and thermal management technologies, aiming to enable large-scale commercial electric aviation operations.
The project, named ECLiPSE, has received funding from the UK government. The total investment is approximately £3.4 million, with £1.75 million coming from the UK Department for Transport's Zero Emission Flight Verification Programme. Vertical Aerospace will collaborate with the University of Bath and engineering consultancy InnCat Ltd to create innovative charging and liquid cooling technologies. The goal is to reduce infrastructure costs, shorten charging times, and improve aircraft turnaround efficiency.
Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson stated that charging infrastructure is a critical technology for commercial electric aviation operations. The ECLiPSE project is dedicated to making electric flight viable from both an operational and commercial perspective. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander noted that next-generation aviation technology is taking off in Britain, with government-industry collaboration driving emissions reduction and innovation, ensuring the UK maintains a leading position in global aerospace manufacturing.
Regarding charging technology standards, Vertical Aerospace announced in 2025 that it would adopt the combined charging system standard. This move aligns with Beta Technologies and Archer Aviation to promote a unified fast-charging system across the industry, enabling interoperability between charging facilities. The company has already purchased two chargers from Beta for evaluation and testing.
Vertical Aerospace has recently achieved several technological breakthroughs. In April 2026, the company successfully completed a piloted transition flight of its full-scale prototype, demonstrating the ability to shift from vertical lift to wing-borne flight. This milestone significantly reduced certification risk. The company subsequently secured a financing package worth up to $850 million, providing capital support for achieving type certification and commercialization by 2028. Vertical Aerospace currently holds pre-orders for approximately 1,500 of its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with customers including American Airlines and Japan Airlines.