Quebec supports H55 spin-off

H55 has started to build up a presence in North America and established a Canadian subsidiary in Quebec. H55 is being supported by the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) in its endeavors to make air transport quieter, cleaner, and affordable with its lightweight, modular electric drive and battery systems.

Pascale St-Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, commented: “As Minister responsible for CED, I am proud to be able to announce that CED is supporting the launch of H55 Canada Inc. in Quebec.” She added that the country is investing in the greater wellbeing of future generations with innovative projects such as this one.

In a press release, André Borschberg, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of H55, described having CED as a partner as “important validation” of the company’s experience. He went on to say: “There is a strategic fit with Canada given the country’s leading competitive position in the aviation sector and its commitment to sustainable aviation.”

According to the information provided, H55 has been active in Canada since 2021. For example, in 2022 Pratt & Whittney Canada (P&WC) chose H55 as the supplier for the company’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator. After this, the venture capital arm of Raytheon Technologies, the parent company of P&WC, invested in H55. Additionally, H55 will equip the Piper Archer training fleet of CAE with an aircraft battery system and provide this for other operators commercially.

H55 is technology spin-off from the Swiss E-aircraft project Solar Impulse. H55 has already built three electric aircraft, which the company develops and tests at Sion Airport. mm