Vertical Aerospace has announced its involvement in developing high-power charging and thermal management systems of the next generation. This will be done under the UK Government’s ECLiPSE (Electrified Charging & Liquid-cooling Provision for Support of E-flights) program.
As the international eVTOL industry gets closer to actual implementation, rapid and reliable charging infrastructure becomes a critical factor in this regard. Frequent flights would require rapid energy supply in order to make electric aviation effective and economically feasible.
Under the leadership of Vertical Aerospace, the ECLiPSE project brings together academic knowledge of the University of Bath and consulting expertise of InnCat Ltd. These organizations collaborate on designing the necessary high-power charging and liquid-cooling hardware to reduce the cost of the infrastructure, streamline site integration, and reduce turn-around time for electric flights.
Funding Details and Strategic Significance
The ECLiPSE project was officially launched at the Farnborough International Airshow, during which Vertical Aerospace conducted public eVTOL test flights.
Selected under the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Flight Demonstrator scheme, ECLiPSE is a total investment amounting to £3.4 million. The investment will include up to £1.75 million of direct government grant funding, based on the final grant agreements. The government’s £43 million funding scheme targets innovative developments in the aviation industry.
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The project is consistent with the recently published results of an independent study by the University of Birmingham about the benefits that can be brought by air taxis in the UK transport system.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “To unlock commercial electric aviation, the industry needs the infrastructure that allows aircraft to recharge quickly, operate efficiently and scale economically. Through ECLiPSE, we’re making electric flight operational and commercially viable, while strengthening the UK’s leadership in next-generation aerospace innovation.”
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “The next generation of flight is taking off in the UK. By powering up electric and hydrogen-powered planes, we’re bringing passengers closer to the flights of the future – while creating skilled jobs, backing UK businesses and spreading economic growth to all 4 corners of the country. We’re working hand in hand with industry to cut emissions, drive innovation, and ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to build, test and fly the aircraft of tomorrow.”
Technical Capabilities and Cross-Sector Applications
The ECLiPSE framework focuses on merging high-power liquid charging with dynamic thermal regulation. By controlling temperature spikes during high-voltage charging, the software and hardware architecture reduces energy loss, minimizes physical footprint size, and protects battery health. Beyond electric flight, the resulting cooling and charging technologies are expected to offer cross-over applications for heavy-duty commercial transport and electric maritime sectors.
The grant builds upon sustained UK Government backing for Vertical Aerospace via the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and the Future Flight Challenge. Furthermore, Vertical is in advanced talks with the UK Government regarding a broader industrialization support package-including a proposed £10 million ($13.5 million) grant-to anchor its primary full-scale manufacturing site in the UK. If finalized, this will bring total direct UK Government support for Vertical Aerospace to approximately £48 million ($64 million).