Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) has achieved a significant milestone in aviation technology, completing a groundbreaking 523-mile flight with its hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator. This landmark flight, which took place above Marina, California, is notable for being powered solely by liquid hydrogen, with water being the only emission.
This achievement is a pivotal moment for Joby’s hydrogen-electric program, which leverages technology from Joby’s subsidiary, H2FLY, acquired in 2021. The hydrogen-electric aircraft, a converted pre-production prototype previously used for battery-electric flights, highlights the potential for emissions-free regional travel. The aircraft, capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), landed with 10% of its hydrogen fuel load remaining.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, commented on the significance of the flight: “Traveling by air is central to human progress, but we need to find ways to make it cleaner. Our battery-electric air taxi is set to revolutionize city transportation, and this hydrogen-electric aircraft shows how we might redefine regional travel, enabling flights from cities like San Francisco to San Diego with zero emissions other than water.”
The flight utilized a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system designed and built by H2FLY. The aircraft’s hydrogen fuel cell system generates electricity to power its six electric motors, with batteries providing additional power during take-off and landing. This innovative approach could potentially eliminate the need for conventional runways, offering a new level of flexibility in regional air travel.
Jacob Wilson, Acting Branch Chief of AFWERX Agility Prime, emphasized the importance of the development: “Agility Prime supports hydrogen-powered aircraft as it aligns with our goals to advance vertical lift technologies and energy diversification within the Department of Defense.”
The technology is part of Joby’s broader strategy to lead the development of new aviation technologies. This includes their recent acquisition of Xwing Inc., a leader in autonomous aviation technology. Joby aims to start commercial operations with its battery-electric air taxi by 2025 and has raised over $2 billion in funding from notable investors such as Toyota, Delta Air Lines, and Uber.
Joby’s hydrogen-electric aircraft represents a crucial step towards a cleaner, more sustainable aviation future, with the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of regional travel.
