Joby Aviation, a pioneer in air taxis, – known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft –joined forces with Atlantic Aviation to transform urban air mobility in New York City.
The partnership extends to Southern California and will set the stage for Joby’s air taxi service later this year – a collaboration that promises quieter, more sustainable air travel in busy urban neighborhoods.
The Joby-Atlantic collaboration
To kick off this partnership, Joby Aviation will install its proprietary Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) to identify ways in which air taxis could be used at various airports, alongside regular aircraft.
The GEACS was developed by Joby to reduce downtime between flights. The system is currently installed at the Edwards Air Force Base, and at Joby’s flight testing facility in California.
The data will assist Joby in understanding how air taxis could be utilized in such a way to reduce noise pollution. If the project is successful, the partnership could change the ways in which city dwellers travel in urban settings.
Taking urban air travel into the future
Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt says the partnership with Atlantic Aviation will “lay the foundation for the next generation of clean and quiet flight.” He says setting up the right infrastructure is vital.
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The Joby team has more than 30,000 miles of eVTOL flight data backing it, having “fine-tuned” a system that enables the team to recharge multiple battery packs simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Atlantic Aviation’s chief commercial and sustainability officer, John Redcay, said the partnership supports the growth of electric aviation. The collaboration will solidify Atlantic’s “leading role in supporting the growth” of this future-forward industry, he says.
Impact on urban mobility and the environment
Joby completed its first electric air taxi test flight in New York, in November 2023. As electric air taxis continue to take to the skies, there is no better place to carry out these tests than in the Big Apple.
New York City owns more than 4,000 government-owned EVs. Nearly $2.4 billion has been made available for Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania to install new chargers. New York also promotes the use of electric vehicles through its take-home fleets.
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By making electric air taxis a reality, Joby and Atlantic aims to alleviate traffic congestion in cities, while reducing short-distance travel times, and minimizing noise pollution in densely populated areas.
The University of Michigan found that air taxis emit 35% lower greenhouse gas emissions over a hundred kilometers (62 miles) when manned by a single pilot, compared to traditional cars. Air taxis occupied by a pilot and three passengers have 52% lower greenhouse gas emissions.
About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
