UK-based developer Evolito has submitted its E800 electric engine, a power base intended for integration on Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, for type certification with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
On July 17, 2026, Evolito declared that the application “represents a significant milestone” in the journey from development to certified aerospace product.
Evolito describes the E800 as the first member of an E800 Series electric engine family, with future aircraft applications expected to leverage the certification framework established through the EL9 program.
“This is a defining moment for Evolito,” said Dr Chris Harris, CEO of Evolito. “Submitting our Type Certificate application is far more than a regulatory milestone. It is evidence of the maturity of our products, our processes and our organisation. Over the last several years we have built the engineering foundations, certification capability and industrial infrastructure required to bring certified electric propulsion to market.”
Evolito’s certification program proposes a certification basis under SC-E19, the special condition governing electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
“This milestone from Evolito shows how the UK is turning world-class innovation into the technologies that will power the next generation of flight,” the UK’s Industry Minister Chris McDonald said. “It’s exactly the kind of ambition that will strengthen our industrial base and keep Britain at the cutting edge of advanced aerospace.”
According to Evolito, its electric engine has been designed specifically for aerospace propulsion applications and optimized for propeller-driven aircraft.
The engine combines Evolito’s proprietary axial-flux motor technology with integrated controls, cooling and propeller-load-bearing architecture in a compact package, engineered for certification and volume production.
“Certification is where aerospace innovation becomes aerospace reality,” said Dr Richard Shepherd, Head of Airworthiness and former Rolls-Royce Airworthiness lead. “This application demonstrates that electric propulsion is moving beyond concept studies and flight demonstrations. It is becoming a certifiable, scalable and commercially deployable technology. We are proud to be helping lead that transition, not just with the airframers but also with the certifying authorities.”
Electra selected Evolito to supply the electric propulsion units (EPUs) for its EL9 aircraft in October 2025.