Silent Revolution: The EVIO 810 Hybrid-Electric Jet Debuts with a Staggering 450 Orders
- Sky Vault Aviation
- Dec 12, 2025
- 6 min read
The aviation industry loves a disruptor, but rarely does a new player emerge from the shadows with the weight of a titan. Yesterday, Canadian startup EVIO Inc. did exactly that. In a stunning public debut that has sent shockwaves through the regional aviation market, the Montreal-based company unveiled its clean-sheet EVIO 810 hybrid-electric regional aircraft—and dropped the bombshell that it has already secured 450 conditional orders from major carriers.
This is not just another "paper plane" concept destined for the digital recycling bin. Backed by heavyweights Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Canada, and steered by the legendary engineer behind the Airbus A220, EVIO is promising to solve the "regional problem" that has plagued airlines for two decades: how to fly short routes profitably without burning massive amounts of jet fuel.
The "Stealth" Reveal: 450 Orders Out of Nowhere
For years, whispers had circulated in Montreal’s aerospace corridors about a "Project 810" being developed in quiet hangars. On December 11, 2025, the curtain finally fell. EVIO Inc. announced its presence to the world, confirming that it had spent the last several years secretly securing buy-in from some of the world’s largest fleet operators.
The headline number is hard to ignore: 450 aircraft.
This massive order book is split between 250 conditional purchase agreements and 200 options, reportedly signed by two major airline groups in 2023 while the company was still in stealth mode. While the specific airlines have not yet been named, industry analysts strongly suspect involvement from massive regional operators like SkyWest, Republic Airways, or potential interest from legacy carriers like United or Air Canada looking to decarbonize their feeder networks.
"The challenge in the regional market is not demand, but rather the lack of a modern, economical solution," said Michael Derman, CEO of EVIO, during the launch event. "We recognized early on that a strong-hybrid architecture can provide unmatched efficiencies for airlines, helping them sustain vibrant regional networks in a cost-effective, responsible way."
The Machine: What is the EVIO 810?
The EVIO 810 is designed to hit the "sweet spot" of the regional market, a segment that has been slowly dying as airlines retire smaller 50-seat jets (like the CRJ-200) in favor of larger, more efficient narrowbodies. The 810 is not a tiny commuter plane; it is a serious airliner.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 76 Passengers (Standard dual-class configuration)
Propulsion: Proprietary "Strong Hybrid-Electric" Architecture
Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E series (modified for hybrid application)
Entry into Service (EIS): Targeted for the early 2030s
Range: Optimized for 500 nautical mile sectors but capable of longer hybrid missions.
The "Strong Hybrid" Advantage Unlike pure electric aircraft (like early concepts from Heart Aerospace) which are limited by battery weight and range, or hydrogen concepts that require nonexistent infrastructure, the EVIO 810 uses a pragmatic approach.
It utilizes a "Strong Hybrid" architecture. This means the aircraft can operate in distinct modes:
All-Electric Mode: For zero-emission takeoffs, landings, and taxiing. This solves the noise and pollution problems near airports, potentially allowing the 810 to fly into noise-restricted urban airports like London City or Toronto Island.
Hybrid Cruise: Once airborne, the Pratt & Whitney turbines kick in. They provide cruise power and recharge the batteries mid-flight. This allows the aircraft to fly standard regional routes (e.g., Chicago to St. Louis, or London to Edinburgh) without "range anxiety," while still burning significantly less fuel than a standard Embraer E175 or ATR 72.
The Power Players: A "Dream Team" Coalition
What separates EVIO from the graveyard of failed electric aviation startups is its pedigree. This is not a garage project; it is an industrial coalition of the highest order.
1. Boeing’s Bet on Canada Boeing has thrown its significant weight behind EVIO, providing both investment and technical support. For Boeing, this is a strategic masterstroke. The US aerospace giant has no in-house regional propeller product to replace the aging Dash 8 or ATR fleets. By backing EVIO, Boeing effectively gains a foothold in the "green regional" market without distracting from its core 737 MAX and 787 programs. "EVIO's new hybrid-electric aircraft development is an example of the promising innovation in the country's aerospace sector," noted Al Meinzinger, President of Boeing Canada.
2. The Engine Authority: Pratt & Whitney Canada The collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada (RTX) is equally critical. The EVIO 810 will utilize a hybrid-electric derivative of the legendary PT6 engine family. The PT6 is the most reliable turboprop engine in history. By building their futuristic hybrid system on top of this proven workhorse, EVIO drastically reduces the certification risk. They aren't inventing a new engine from scratch; they are electrifying a legend.
3. The "Father of the A220" Perhaps the biggest vote of confidence comes from the boardroom. EVIO revealed that its board includes Rob Dewar, the former Airbus executive known globally as the "Father of the CSeries" (now the A220). Dewar is revered in the industry for shepherding the A220 through development hell to become the most advanced small jet in the world. His presence suggests that EVIO is serious about engineering rigor and certification. Joining him is Frank Cappuccio, the former Executive VP of Lockheed Martin’s legendary Skunk Works, adding deep technical and defense expertise.
The "Regional Crisis": Why We Need This Plane
To understand why 450 orders were signed so quickly, you have to look at the crumbling state of regional aviation.
The Problem: Over the last five years, nearly 30% of the global regional fleet has been retired. Small communities are losing air service because flying a 50-seat jet is no longer profitable with today's pilot wages and fuel prices.
Turboprops like the Dash 8-Q400 are out of production.
Small jets like the CRJ are out of production.
The ATR 72 is efficient but slow and lacks the passenger comfort of a jet.
The EVIO Solution: The EVIO 810 promises to restore profitability to these routes. By cutting fuel burn by an estimated 30-50% through hybrid technology, airlines can afford to fly to Wichita, Kansas, or Southampton, UK, again. Furthermore, the aircraft is designed with cargo flexibility in mind. The floor is reinforced for standard 463L Master Pallets, and the electrical power system is robust enough to support potential defense applications—hinting that military variants (for medevac or surveillance) could be in the pipeline.
The Skeptic’s View: Is 2030 Realistic?
Despite the hype and the 450 orders, the road to 2030 is paved with certification hurdles. Certification authorities like the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada are still writing the rulebook for hybrid-electric commercial flight. While the EVIO 810 uses proven turbine technology, integrating high-voltage batteries and electric motors into a passenger-carrying airframe brings unprecedented scrutiny regarding fire safety and thermal management.
Moreover, "conditional orders" are just that—conditional. If the aircraft fails to meet its performance guarantees (weight, range, fuel burn), those 450 orders can evaporate. However, with heavyweights like Boeing and Rob Dewar involved, the "vaporware" risk is significantly lower than with other startups.
Richard Aboulafia, the famously skeptical aviation analyst from Aerodynamic Advisory, gave the project a rare nod of approval: "From what I have observed... EVIO appears well positioned to disrupt the short-haul market with a game-changing solution."
Market Impact: A Wake-Up Call for Embraer and ATR
The launch of the EVIO 810 places immediate pressure on incumbents.
Embraer: The Brazilian giant has been teasing its own "Energia" concept family but has yet to launch a definitive 76-seat hybrid product. The EVIO 810 sits directly in the size category of the Embraer E175, the world's best-selling regional jet.
ATR: The Franco-Italian manufacturer has dominated the turboprop market by default. EVIO is attacking them directly, offering jet-like speeds and cabin comfort with turboprop-like economics.
Conclusion: The Start of the Hybrid Age
December 11, 2025, may well be remembered as the day the "Electric Dream" became a commercial reality. For years, we have seen two-seater trainers and air taxis. But a 76-seat airliner with 450 orders? That is serious business.
As EVIO moves from stealth mode to flight testing, the industry will be watching closely. If the EVIO 810 delivers on its promises, it won’t just save regional airlines money—it will save regional aviation itself, reconnecting small cities to the world with a hum, rather than a roar.
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