DOVETAIL ELECTRIC AVIATION AND MOLICEL COLLABORATE TO ADVANCE ZERO-EMISSION FLIGHT WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE BATTERY CELLS
Dovetail Electric Aviation, a pioneer in electric aviation technologies, developing proprietary battery and electric propulsion systems to power the conversion of conventional aircraft, has partnered with global battery cell manufacturer Molicel.
Both companies are working together to integrate Molicel’s advanced battery cells into Dovetail’s proprietary battery system, DovePack™.
The collaboration marks a key step toward the certification and deployment of what will potentially be EU’s first retrofit-ready electric aircraft and reinforces both companies’ commitment to driving innovation in sustainable aviation.
Battery cells are the backbone of any electric propulsion system, influencing not only performance and safety but also efficiency and long-term economics. Dovetail’s proprietary battery system, DovePack™, is built around Molicel’s high-power cylindrical 21700 cells, combining world-class electrochemistry with Dovetail’s proprietary advanced immersion cooling technology to meet the rigorous demands of electric
aviation. Dovepack™ has been designed to meet energy densities over 265wh/kg at the pack level with mass produced cells, not laboratory samples, with the potential to surpass 300wh/kg. Dovepack™ is the most compact battery system for aviation, thanks to its novel architecture based on immersion cooling, with initial testing showing the capability to pass thermal runaway tests under EASA and FAA standards. Dovetail is including DovePack™ in its certification roadmap, targeting its integration on retrofit flying
platforms by the end of 2025, a full flight test campaign in 2026 and certification in 2027.
Engineered for the realities of flight, DovePack™ is designed to balance high power output, energy density, and thermal stability within a scalable and certifiable architecture.
Molicel’s cells provide the core energy and discharge capability for take-off, cruise, and landing—while Dovetail’s advanced thermal management and control systems keep cells within optimal limits across the flight envelope. This combination enables faster charging, longer lifecycle, and lower cost per flight hour, which are essential for commercial viability.
As Dovetail and Molicel work towards future certification under—initially—EASA and CASA, the integration of Molicel’s proven cell technology into DovePack™ is helping ensure that future electric aircraft meet the safety, performance, and efficiency benchmarks required for global operations.
As part of the collaboration, Dovetail has selected the latest of Molicel’s high-performance cells for integration into its next-generation battery modules, DovePack™. These will form the core (together with Dovetail’s proprietary propulsion system, DovePower) of Dovetail’s battery-electric powertrain, which will play a critical role in its early flight campaign and product certification roadmap. The companies are also
exploring a long-term supply agreement to support future DovePack™ production for both internal and third-party aviation applications.
Molicel is a leading supplier of advanced lithium-ion cells with decades of experience in high-power, high-energy density and high-safety applications across electric vehicles, aerospace, and energy storage. Known for its commitment to R&D and performance-driven cell chemistry, Molicel has earned the trust of innovators in industries where reliability and energy density are paramount.
Although Dovetail is also developing powertrains with third-party hydrogen fuel cells and range extenders, batteries are a central pillar of its propulsion architecture. DovePack’s modular and scalable design enables integration into both full-electric and hybrid configurations, making it ideal for flexible mission profiles and multiple aircraft platforms.
“Partnering with Molicel allows us to accelerate the development and certification of our battery systems using a proven, high-performance cell technology,” said David Doral, CEO of Dovetail Electric Aviation. “As we move toward bringing retrofit electric aircraft to market before the end of the decade, we are excited to work with a cell partner that shares our values around safety, technical excellence, and energy innovation.”
“Molicel’s unwavering commitment to safety is at the core of our battery technology. Our intensive R&D efforts are deeply invested in shaping thermal behavior and have successfully resulting in exceptionally low flammability for our cells. This makes Molicel ideally suited for the rigorous demands of aviation,” said Casey Shiue, President of Molicel. “Our high-performance battery cells, combined with Dovetail’s innovative DovePack™ system, will be instrumental in achieving certified, zero-emission flight. We are proud to contribute to a sustainable future for aviation.”
The partnership also paves the way for future collaboration in battery innovation, with the potential to integrate next-generation Molicel technologies into future versions of Dovetail’s power systems.
