Heart Aerospace’s CEO Unveils the Rationale Behind the Transition from ES-30 to ES-36
Swedish aviation startup, Heart Aerospace, led by CEO Anders Forslund, has publicly clarified the company’s significant shift from the widely publicized ES-30 design to the recently launched ES-36 hybrid-electric regional airliner. This change marks the fourth major redesign in a span of six years.
The ES-36 was launched on September 23, 2026. It boasts a seating capacity of 36 passengers, an increase from the previous 30. The aircraft’s propeller count has been reduced from four nacelles to a mere two, and it now features a series-hybrid propulsion architecture. This new design allows two 1.65-megawatt electric motors to drive the propellers, powered by onboard turbogenerators instead of a direct mechanical connection to gas turbines. The outcome is a remarkable 745-mile hybrid-electric range, a significant improvement from the previous 500 miles, and a 125-mile all-electric range. All these enhancements aim at achieving 40% lower operating costs compared to conventional regional aircraft.
Forslund disclosed to AIN that the decision to revert to the series-hybrid design was made approximately two years ago. This decision was influenced by the insights gained from designing, building, and flying the all-electric X1 demonstrator. Heart Aerospace flew the X1, the largest all-electric aircraft ever flown, for the first time in August 2026. Airlines, suppliers, and investors were informed about the change before it was publicly announced, according to Forslund.
Charter carrier JSX has secured a deposit-backed purchase agreement for 50 ES-36 aircraft, with the option to purchase 50 more. This agreement converts a 2023 letter of intent into a firm commitment. JSX CEO Alex Wilcox believes that the aircraft “will enable more non-stop routes from more convenient airports.”
Source: Leeham News – CEO Anders Forslund Explains Heart’s Hybrid-Electric Airliner Redesign