Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced its battery pilot production line is operational at its Vertical Energy Centre, a 15,000 square foot facility that opened in 2023.

The facility has been upgraded with automated manufacturing processes to support certification and production of battery packs for the company's Valo electric aircraft. The batteries will power seven Valo certification aircraft for regulatory approval with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The company's proprietary battery systems have delivered up to 1.4 MW of peak power during flight testing since 2024. The pilot production line will also provide capacity for initial commercial production following certification, which is targeted for 2028.

"Bringing our automated battery production line online is a defining step in our journey toward certification and commercialisation," said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace.

Vertical expects to supply approximately 20 battery packs per aircraft over its operational life. By 2035, the company projects supplying up to 45,000 battery packs across its aircraft fleet.

The company is developing a second facility, Vertical Energy Centre 2, a 30,000 square foot powertrain hub expected to open later this year. This expansion will triple battery production capacity. By 2027, Vertical expects to invest £6.4 million across both facilities.

Vertical currently employs approximately 450 people in South West England and expects manufacturing-related jobs to reach 2,220 by 2035. The company plans to announce locations for full-rate production facilities later this year.

The information is based on a company press release.