• Vertical Aerospace has officially launched its battery pilot production line at the Vertical Energy Centr
• Vertical currently employs about 450 people
• Vertical’s proprietary battery system is integral to their electric Valo eVTOL aircraft

Vertical Aerospace has officially launched its battery pilot production line at the Vertical Energy Centre (VEC). This 15,000 sq ft facility, which opened in 2023, has been responsible for the battery systems used in the company's piloted flight testing since 2024. The proprietary batteries have showcased impressive performance, achieving up to 1.4 MW of peak power during tests. The facility has recently been enhanced with automated, aerospace-grade manufacturing processes aimed at supporting both certification and production, thereby increasing efficiency and battery performance. 

The new pilot production line will be utilized to test and produce the final battery packs for Vertical's seven Valo certification aircraft. These aircraft are set to undergo the final stages of their certification process with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Additionally, this setup will support the initial phase of commercial production, which is projected to begin post-certification in 2028.

CEO Stuart Simpson emphasized the importance of bringing the automated battery production line online, stating it represents a crucial step toward certification and commercialization. By investing in aerospace-grade battery manufacturing early on, Vertical aims to minimize integration risks and enhance supply chain control as they prepare for commercial service.

Vertical’s proprietary battery system is integral to their electric Valo eVTOL aircraft and hybrid-electric program. The company collaborates with leading aerospace suppliers like Honeywell and Aciturri but maintains the battery technology in-house, which is a significant value driver for the business. Looking beyond aircraft sales, Vertical anticipates generating recurring revenue through battery supply, with an expectation of delivering around 20 battery packs per aircraft over its lifespan—translating to an estimated total of approximately 45,000 battery packs across their fleet by 2035.

In tandem with this pilot production line, Vertical is also advancing its manufacturing capabilities with the upcoming Vertical Energy Centre 2 (VEC2), a 30,000 sq ft facility set to open later this year, which will triple battery production capacity. By 2027, Vertical plans to invest approximately £6.4 million ($8.5 million) across both VEC facilities.

Expanding its presence in the South West of England, Vertical currently employs about 450 people and intends to announce the locations of its full-rate production and battery facilities soon. As manufacturing ramps up, the company expects to elevate the number of skilled jobs in its ecosystem to at least 2,220 by 2035.