EVIO and Molicel Partner to Accelerate Next-Generation Energy Storage for Hybrid-Electric Aviation
EVIO has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Molicel aimed at advancing the development of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells designed specifically for aerospace applications. The collaboration represents a significant step forward in the effort to commercialize hybrid-electric regional aviation, with both companies focusing on high energy density battery technologies capable of meeting the demanding safety, performance, and certification standards required in modern aircraft systems.
The agreement centers on supporting the EVIO 810 aircraft program, the company’s newly launched hybrid-electric regional aircraft platform. Through the partnership, EVIO and Molicel will work together to develop and validate advanced battery technologies that can power both short-range all-electric missions and longer hybrid-electric regional routes. The collaboration is expected to play an important role in helping EVIO achieve key development milestones as the company progresses toward the commercialization of sustainable aviation solutions.
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and reliability. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems are widely viewed as one of the most promising pathways for achieving lower-emission regional air travel, particularly on short-haul routes where fuel consumption and operating costs remain significant challenges for airlines. Battery performance, however, continues to be one of the most critical technological hurdles facing the sector.
By partnering with Molicel, a company recognized for its expertise in high-power lithium-ion cell technologies, EVIO aims to accelerate the development of an aerospace-grade energy storage solution capable of meeting the rigorous requirements of regional aviation. The companies will focus on optimizing battery performance characteristics such as power delivery, recharge capability, energy density, thermal stability, durability, and long-term operational safety.
Michael Derman, CEO of EVIO, emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement and highlighted the alignment between the two companies’ technical capabilities and aviation objectives.
“We’re pleased to announce this agreement with Molicel, whose high-power lithium-ion cell expertise—applied in high-performance aerospace and aviation applications—aligns well with EVIO’s exacting safety and performance standards,” Derman said. “This MOA gives us a structured path to generate the data we need to mature an aircraft-ready energy storage solution for the EVIO 810.”
The EVIO 810 has been designed around a strong-hybrid propulsion architecture that enables flexibility across different mission profiles. According to the company, the aircraft is intended to operate fully electrically on shorter routes while transitioning to hybrid-electric operation for longer regional flights. This approach is expected to provide airlines with greater efficiency while also significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption compared with conventional regional aircraft.
As part of the collaboration, EVIO and Molicel will deepen their technical engagement to evaluate how advanced lithium-ion cells perform under aviation-specific operating conditions. The work will include validation testing, performance analysis, and integration studies focused on developing an Energy Storage System (ESS) suitable for Part 25 commercial aircraft certification requirements.
The companies noted that the battery systems being developed must meet extremely demanding aerospace standards. Unlike automotive applications, aviation energy storage systems are subject to stringent requirements related to redundancy, reliability, thermal management, power consistency, lifecycle durability, and operational safety under a wide range of environmental and mission conditions.
Molicel President Casey Shiue highlighted the importance of battery innovation in enabling the next generation of regional aircraft and stressed that the company’s technology is designed specifically to support the power demands associated with hybrid-electric flight systems.
“Molicel is proud to support EVIO in pushing the boundaries of regional aviation,” Shiue said. “Our high-power cell technology is specifically engineered to handle the intense discharge and recharge cycles required for hybrid-electric flight. By combining our cell expertise with EVIO’s innovative 810 architecture, we are ensuring that the next generation of regional aircraft meets the highest standards of power, safety, and mission reliability.”
The partnership builds upon earlier collaboration efforts between the two companies. EVIO and Molicel had previously launched foundational cell performance testing programs aimed at understanding the operational behavior of advanced lithium-ion technologies within aviation applications. Those early-stage evaluations have now laid the groundwork for broader ESS-level development activities planned for the second half of 2026.
During the next phase of the collaboration, the companies expect to collect valuable Energy Storage System performance data associated with Part 25 aircraft operating environments. The work will include mission-specific evaluations aligned with EVIO’s all-electric concept of operations (CONOPS) scenarios for the EVIO 810 platform. Engineers from both organizations will use the data gathered during testing to refine battery pack architecture, optimize thermal management systems, improve integration strategies, and strengthen overall system safety and reliability.
Valerie Myers, EVIO Vice President of Operations and General Manager, described the agreement as a major milestone in the company’s energy storage development strategy. She noted that aerospace battery systems require a unique combination of engineering precision, manufacturing scalability, and certification readiness.
“This marks a turning point in our ESS development progress, allowing us to incorporate valuable feedback into its design,” Myers said. “The Molicel team understands the stringent requirements of aerospace – from design through industrialization. Their cell technology is well positioned to meet our needs, and we are very excited about our collaboration.”
The broader aviation industry continues to invest heavily in alternative propulsion technologies as governments, regulators, airlines, and manufacturers seek to reduce the environmental impact of air transportation. Regional aviation, in particular, is viewed as a key market for electrification because of its relatively shorter routes and growing demand for sustainable transportation options.
Battery advancements remain essential for enabling commercially viable electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. Improvements in energy density, charging efficiency, thermal performance, and lifecycle durability are critical factors influencing aircraft range, payload capacity, operational economics, and certification viability. Partnerships between aircraft developers and battery technology providers are therefore becoming increasingly important across the aerospace sector.
EVIO’s recent launch of the EVIO 810 underscores the company’s ambition to position itself within the rapidly emerging hybrid-electric aviation market. The aircraft has been designed to deliver improved economics and sustainability for regional operators while addressing the operational realities of short-haul commercial aviation.
According to EVIO, market interest in the aircraft has already been significant. The company recently announced conditional purchase agreements and options totaling 450 aircraft from two major airlines, demonstrating growing confidence in hybrid-electric regional aviation concepts and the potential commercial demand for lower-emission aircraft solutions.
As development efforts continue, the collaboration between EVIO and Molicel is expected to provide critical technical insights that could help shape the future of regional electric aviation. By combining EVIO’s aircraft development expertise with Molicel’s advanced battery cell technology, the companies aim to create a high-performance energy storage solution capable of supporting the next generation of safer, cleaner, and more efficient regional air transportation.
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