Vertical Aerospace has announced the launch of a new battery pilot production line for its Valo electric aircraft, marking an important step toward commercial production. The company said this move will help strengthen its manufacturing capabilities as it prepares for certification and future operations in the electric aviation sector.
The new production line is located at the company’s Vertical Energy Centre, a 15,000-square-foot facility that has been operational since 2023. This centre has already been producing battery systems used in flight testing since 2024, showing strong performance during trials.
According to the company, the facility has now been upgraded with automated aerospace-grade manufacturing processes. These upgrades are expected to improve efficiency, consistency, and overall battery performance while supporting certification requirements.
Vertical Aerospace plans to use this pilot line to build battery packs for seven Valo certification aircraft. These aircraft will be used during the final certification stages with aviation regulators in the UK and Europe.
The company also said the new production capability will support the first phase of commercial manufacturing after certification, which is currently targeted around 2028. This reflects Vertical Aerospace’s strategy to align production growth with its commercialization roadmap.
Looking ahead, the company is also planning further expansion through an additional facility expected to increase battery production capacity. With these developments, Vertical Aerospace aims to strengthen its position in the emerging electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft market.
