Electric sky taxi readies for takeoff
This all-electric vehicle could soon be taking off from a ‘skypark’ with ride share passengers aboard.
This all-electric air taxi could soon be taking off from a ‘skypark’ in your city.
Electric ride-share is only a few years off with one of the pioneers in the space poised to deliver its first aircraft to a paying customer.
Joby Aviation has received a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the first aircraft built at its pilot production line in California.
This production prototype will be the first ever electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi (eVTOL) aircraft to be delivered to a customer as part of Joby’s US $131 million contract with the US Air Force.
A quiet achiever
Joby’s eVTOL is fast but quiet and has zero operating emissions and has been designed to help reduce urban congestion and accelerate the shift to sustainable modes of transit.
Joby’s aircraft has six electric motors which give it the ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter but without the noise.
The publicly-listed company is also forging partnerships to use rooftops in city areas and repurpose these into ‘Skyparks’.
“Powered by six electric motors, our aircraft takes off and lands vertically, giving us the flexibility to serve almost any community.
“Flying with us might feel more like getting into an SUV than boarding a plane.”
Commercial kick-off
The launch of Joby’s production prototype marks an important step toward achieving FAA certification and production at scale, says Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt.
“Today’s achievement is the culmination of years of investment in our processes and technology and it marks a major step on our journey to scaled production.”
FAA certification is required to begin commercial passenger operations, which Joby hopes will kick off in 2025, and to this end, the company recently partnered with Delta Air Lines to deliver emissions-free travel to customers travelling to and from airports.
The eVTOL aircraft will undergo initial flight testing before being delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it will be used to demonstrate a range of potential logistics use cases.
There are numerous players in the ever-expanding eVTOL market including Europe’s Volocopter, which is preparing to launch its VoloCity in Paris in 2024, and Japan’s SkyDrive which recently forged an eVTOL production agreement with Suzuki.
“Today’s achievement is the culmination of years of investment in our processes and technology and it marks a major step on our journey to scaled production.”
The tech
Joby’s eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft uses electric power to takeoff, land and hover vertically, delivering zero operating emissions.Joby is powered by six electric motors with six tilting propellers that each run off their own battery pack. It has a current maximum range of 242km (150miles) for a single charge and can transport a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 322kph (200 mph).
Who funds it
Joby is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Its largest external shareholder is Toyota, which has invested US$400 million and has a long-term agreement to supply of components.
Is it ready to roll
Joby plans to begin commercial passenger operations in 2025 and recently partnered with Delta Air Lines to deliver emissions-free travel for Delta customers commuting to and from airports.
