Former YASA CEO Chris Harris to Lead Electric Aerospace Powertrain Company Evolito as It Accelerates the Commercialisation of Electric Flight

Evolito Limited, a privately-owned company developing and manufacturing electric motors and powertrains for aerospace applications, has today announced former YASA CEO, Dr. Chris Harris, is joining the company as CEO.

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A concept image showing an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) powered by Evolito's electric propulsion unit. Image credit: Evolito
(Photo: Business Wire)

Evolito was spun out in July 2021 by YASA (the world-leading pioneer of next-generation axial-flux electric motors and controllers for automotive, acquired by Mercedes-Benz in August 2021) to exclusively commercialise YASA’s electric motor technology and IP for the rapidly-growing electric aerospace market.

Following 15 years’ experience building and leading high-tech, high-growth businesses in the UK, Europe and US, Dr. Chris Harris joined YASA in 2012. He scaled the company from 20 employees to more than 300, raising significant investment and winning OEM series production contracts from companies including Ferrari.

Before leading YASA’s acquisition by Mercedes-Benz in August 2021, Harris spun-out YASA’s aviation division as a new company, Evolito Limited, to exclusively develop YASA’s unique technology in the burgeoning electric flight market. In September 2022, Harris stepped down from his CEO role at YASA and became a Non-Executive Director at the wholly-owned Mercedes-Benz subsidiary. Harris has been a Director of Evolito since the company’s spin-out and incorporation, and now becomes Evolito CEO effective immediately.

Evolito’s ultra high-performance, super low-weight next-generation axial-flux electric motors are smaller, lighter and more robust than any other competing technology, opening up a range of new opportunities for manned Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) craft, and electric fixed-wing applications. Following Evolito’s acquisition of UK battery company Electroflight in July 2022, Evolito can now offer aerospace OEM & eVTOL customers fully-electric powertrain solutions, incorporating its next-generation axial-flux electric motors, power electronics and batteries.

Cyrus Jilla, Group Managing Partner at lead Evolito investor B-FLEXION said, “Chris is an established leader with a proven track record of successfully commercialising pioneering technology and building world-class manufacturing companies. Always shining through is his passion for accelerating society’s transition to electric mobility through innovation and nurturing a new generation of engineering talent. We are thrilled to have his energy and experience at the helm of Evolito as the company scales to meet the demand for our next-generation electric powertrains.”

Alexis Zervoglos, Senior Partner, Technology at Oxford Science Enterprises said, “Evolito is on a mission to electrify the aerospace industry with technology that’s already been proven in the most demanding automotive series production – a tremendous commercial advantage. Under Chris Harris’ leadership, Evolito’s revolutionary electric motors and powertrains will enable electric flight to become a commercial reality in the near future. I’m delighted that Oxford Science Enterprises is onboard for this exciting journey – one that’s so crucial to meeting global net-zero goals.”

Dr. Chris Harris, Evolito co-founder and CEO said, “Electric flight requires ultra high-power density, super low-weight electric powertrains. Evolito provides best-in-class powertrain solutions for OEMs, leveraging next-generation axial-flux electric motor technology that’s already proven in automotive. I’m excited to lead Evolito’s talented and driven team as we accelerate the commercialisation of electric flight, transforming not only the way people travel but also making our towns and cities greener, quieter places to live.”

EDITOR’S NOTES

Evolito http://www.evolito.aero

Evolito is making all-electric flight a commercial reality with world-leading direct-drive electric propulsion solutions. Spun out of YASA in 2021, Evolito leverages technology proven by OEMs in the EV industry, and holds over 150 patents for Axial-flux e-motor design & manufacture. Evolito’s axial-flux electric motors, power electronics and battery solutions combined offer the highest power and torque densities in class – mission critical in eVTOL, Urban Air Mobility and fixed-wing applications – and is inherently more robust than competing technologies. The privately-held company is based in Oxford. Evolito’s investors include B-Flexion and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).

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