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ES-30Heart Aerospace—
ES-30
Photo: Patrik Tommy Olsson · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens commons.wikimedia.org)

ES-30

by Heart AerospaceUSSE

ProtoStage 2 of 5

X1 test plane flying; approval program aims for service around 2031.

Updated 12 Aug 2026Checked 25 Sep0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Entry into service
  1. ES-30 design revealedSep 2022Complete.
  2. X1 test plane first flight12 Aug 2026Complete.
  3. Entry into serviceTarget 2031+36 mooriginally 2028Not yet reached.

Most important updates

  • 12 Aug 2026
  • 30 Apr 2025
  • 12 Sep 2024
  • 15 May 2024
  • 1 Feb 2024

Upcoming

  1. 2031Entry into service+36 mooriginally 2028 (next)

Current obstacles

  • Tonnes of batteriesEven a short electric range for 30 people needs several tonnes of batteries, cutting payload.

Physics limits

  • Batteries hold about 40 times less energy per kilo than jet fuelThe best lithium-ion cells store roughly 0.25–0.3 kWh per kg; kerosene holds about 12 kWh per kg. Even after motors' higher efficiency, that caps range at tens of miles, and a battery weighs the same when empty.
  • A 30-seat battery plane carries tonnes of cellsMoving a regional airliner needs megawatts. Even a short electric-only range means several tonnes of batteries, which lowers the passengers and bags it can carry on the same wing.

How it works

3 parts
Heart's X1, the full-size ES-30 prototype, in ground tests: four battery-powered electric motors turn the propellers on its high wing
Heart's X1, the full-size ES-30 prototype, in ground tests: four battery-powered electric motors turn the propellers on its high wingPhoto: Patrik Tommy Olsson · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens commons.wikimedia.org)
Battery

Electric motors for short hops

Four propellers are driven by electric motors fed from batteries, enough for about 200 km with no fuel burned.

Range

Generators for longer trips

For longer routes, fuel-burning generators (turbines) make extra electricity, stretching range to about 400 km with 30 seats.

Wing

Engines built into the wing

Nacelles are blended into the wing to help it fly slower and use shorter runways, like small regional airports.

Update log

5 updates

Wed 12 Aug

  • Major: PressTest

Wed 30 Apr 2025

  • Major: BlogOther

Thu 12 Sep 2024

  • Minor: BlogHardware

Wed 15 May 2024

  • Minor: PressHardware

Thu 1 Feb 2024

  • Major: PressFunding

About Heart Aerospace

The team behind ES-30

Heart Aerospace

30-seat hybrid-electric airliner

Heart Aerospace, founded in Sweden and now based in Los Angeles, is building the ES-30, a 30-seat airliner that flies on batteries on short routes, with backup fuel generators for longer ones.

  • X1, a full-size ES-30 test plane, first flew on 12 Aug 2026 in Plattsburgh, New York.
  • Aims for ES-30 service around 2031 under FAA airliner rules.
  • United and Air Canada are early customers and investors.

heartaerospace.com (opens heartaerospace.com)Company profile →

Founded
20188 yrs
Headquarters
United StatesSweden
Status
Private
Valuation
private
Works in
AviationElectric & hydrogen planes
Coverage
1 program · 5 updateslatest 12 Aug 2026checked 25 Sep
People
Anders ForslundCo-founder and CEO
Primer