Vertical Aerospace Activates Battery Pilot Line for Valo Certification
Event summary
- Vertical Aerospace's 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre (VEC) now hosts an operational battery pilot production line for its Valo eVTOL aircraft.
- The facility will produce battery packs for seven certification aircraft and initial commercial production, targeting 2028 certification.
- Vertical expects to supply ~20 battery packs per aircraft over its lifecycle, creating recurring revenue streams.
- A second 30,000 sq ft facility (VEC2) will triple battery production capacity by 2027, with £6.4M/$8.5M invested across both sites.
The big picture
Vertical's move to in-house, aerospace-grade battery production underscores the strategic importance of controlling core technology in the eVTOL race. While partners handle much of the aircraft assembly, Vertical's proprietary battery system positions it to capture recurring revenue—a key differentiator as the industry shifts from development to commercialization. The company's phased manufacturing approach aligns with its certification roadmap, but execution risks loom as it prepares for full-rate production by 2028.
What we're watching
- Certification Timeline
- Whether Vertical can maintain its 2028 certification target with UK CAA and EASA as it scales battery production.
- Manufacturing Scalability
- The pace at which Vertical can expand its manufacturing footprint to meet projected 45,000 battery packs by 2035.
- Recurring Revenue Model
- How Vertical's battery-as-a-service strategy will impact long-term profitability and customer lock-in.