H55 Achieves Milestone in Propulsion Battery Testing for Electric Aviation

H55 has made significant strides in the electric aviation industry by successfully completing mandatory certification tests for its propulsion battery modules, a development that promises to ease regulatory bottlenecks in electric aircraft operations. This milestone, achieved on December 19, 2025, positions H55 at the forefront of efforts to establish certified propulsion battery systems that ensure safety and reliability in aviation.

The campaign, supervised by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has demonstrated that commercially available lithium batteries can be integrated into aviation propulsion systems while safely managing extreme failure scenarios, including thermal runaway incidents. This achievement addresses a crucial barrier that has previously hindered the commercialization and funding of electric aircraft programs.

H55's certification effort involved the rigorous testing of over 100 battery units produced under strict production norms. Results from the six-month-long testing phase validated the ability of the company's energy storage systems to meet safety requirements mandated by the regulators. Notably, H55 has become the first organization to gain both Design Organization Approval (DOA) and Production Organization Approval (POA) from EASA for electric propulsion systems, underscoring its commitment to safety in design, manufacturing, and operational procedures.

According to André Borschberg, H55’s executive chairman and co-founder, this milestone represents the culmination of the company's long-standing goal to make electric aviation certifiable. H55 has focused on building systems that not only comply with aviation safety standards but also optimize performance while preventing potential failures. Such disciplined ambition positions H55 to translate certification into real market acceptance and scalable commercial impact.

Meanwhile, Rob Solomon, H55's CEO, noted that this achievement marks a structural turning point for electric aviation. The successful completion of the battery module tests significantly mitigates technical risks for manufacturers, operators, insurers, and investors in the aviation sector. By transforming the propulsion battery into a transparent actuarial asset, H55 provides a safety standard that could ultimately reshape how electric aviation programs are financed, evaluated, and executed.

To enable repeatable certification across various aircraft programs, H55's innovative architecture incorporates monitoring and risk mitigation at the cell level, ensuring robust safety measures against unforeseen battery failures. This strategic design shift enables H55 to manage risk more effectively and aims to create a framework for implementing certified battery solutions across multiple platforms.

With a rich history in electric aviation, including over 2,000 hours of flight time without battery-related incidents, H55’s expertise underpins its ability to execute certification programs comprehensively. Previous endeavors have seen the company design, build, and operate six electric aircraft models, further solidifying its operational depth.

H55's approach not only promotes safety and efficiency but also enhances the potential for revenue generation as evidence accumulates across various initiatives. This innovative attitude empowers electric and hybrid aircraft programs to scale effectively while limiting speculative risk in development processes.

As the aviation industry pivots towards electric solutions, achieving this certification milestone primes H55 to facilitate the transition to scalable, certified electric aviation systems. By overcoming certification barriers, H55 ushers in a new era where electric aviation can be implemented on a commercial level, fostering innovation and sustainability in the sector.

Looking ahead, H55 will continue to collaborate with regulators in the U.S., leveraging EASA's work to expedite the certification process on that continent. The company's commitment is driven by a desire to ensure that electric aviation can operate under the same rigorous certification and safety regulations as traditional aircraft, ultimately making cleaner and safer flight a reality for future generations.

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