Japan’s Nidec and Brazil’s Embraer have formed a joint venture to develop electric propulsion systems for aircraft after receiving regulatory approval.
The joint venture, which is called Nidec Aerospace is to be headed up by Vincent Braley, formerly chief of staff for Nidec’s Motion and Drives business in the USA. Brayley becomes CEO with immediate effect.
Nidec Aerospace is expected to invest more than US$77 million in the coming years to start mass production of the electric propulsion systems in 2026.
Nidec Aerospace’s launch customer will be eVTOL aircraft developer Eve, the company Embraer launched in 2020.
Embraer will contribute expertise, know-how and resources pertaining to the controller, and Nidec will provide its expertise, technological know-how and resources pertaining to electric motors. Nidec owns a 51% share of the joint venture, and Embraer the remaining 49%.
Dimas Tomelin, senior vice president of corporate strategy, digital and innovation at Embraer said, “We are thrilled with the unconditional clearance. The next step will be the integration of these two powerful operational and engineering capabilities focused on business excellence.
Michael Briggs, senior vice president and president of the motion and energy business unit at Nidec said, “This approval marks a significant milestone not only in Nidec Motion and Energy’s joint venture with Embraer, but also in our shared vision to advance and electrify the way the world travels.”
“Now with official clearance to proceed, the Nidec Aerospace team is poised to bring the expertise, speed, and drive needed to accelerate sustainable aviation on a global scale.”
The JV, which was originally announced at the Paris Air Show in June, was subject to antitrust and other regulatory approvals in the US.
