Stralis Announces Hydrogen-Electric Retrofit for Beechcraft Bonanzas
Key Ideas
  • Stralis Aircraft plans to offer hydrogen-electric retrofits for Beechcraft Bonanzas, with expressions of interest being accepted as system development progresses.
  • The system, powered by a 240-kW electric motor drawing from Stralis fuel cells fed from wingtip tanks, aims to unlock hydrogen flight for commercial applications.
  • The Stralis system allows for significant fuel efficiency and weight reduction, maintaining the A36 Bonanza within its existing weight-and-balance envelopes.
  • Stralis is set to scale up the technology to larger aircraft like the Beech 1900, aiming for the first commercial hydrogen-electric systems to be available by the second half of next year.
Stralis Aircraft Co-founder and CEO Bob Criner announced at Avalon 2025 that the company will be offering hydrogen-electric (HE) retrofits for Beechcraft Bonanzas. The technology being developed involves powering an A36 Bonanza with a 240-kW electric motor drawing from Stralis fuel cells fed from wingtip tanks. System development has been progressing, with the first flight expected later this year. Interested Bonanza owners are encouraged to express interest in retrofitting their aircraft, as the technology promises significant advancements in fuel efficiency and weight reduction. The Stralis system, utilizing an H3X electric motor coupled to hydrogen-electric fuel cells fed from wingtip tanks, enables flights that are 10 times further than using batteries, with the ability to carry double the payload of a fossil-fuel-powered aircraft. The system keeps the A36 within its weight-and-balance envelopes. Stralis aims to have the first commercial HE systems available by the second half of next year and plans to scale up the technology to larger aircraft like the Beech 1900 for entry into service by 2030. The company is optimistic about the scalability of the technology and its potential impact on the aviation industry.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.