Govind Tekale
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: Joby), a next-generation aviation company, announced on July 11, 2024, that it has successfully flown a first-of-its-kind hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator for 523 miles (830 km), with water as the only by-product. The aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, builds on Joby’s successful battery-electric air taxi development program.
Joe Ben Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, said, “Traveling by air is central to human progress, but we need to find ways to make it leaner. Imagine being able to fly from San Francisco to San Diego, Boston to Baltimore, or Nashville to New Orleans without the need to go to an airport and with no emissions except water. The vast majority of the design, testing, and certification work we’ve completed on our battery-electric aircraft carries over to commercializing hydrogen-electric flight.”
Believed to be the first forward flight of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen, it was completed last month using a converted Joby pre-production prototype battery-electric aircraft fitted with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system. It landed with 10% of its hydrogen fuel load remaining.
Jacob Wilson, Branch Chief at AFWERX Agility Prime, said, “Agility Prime has been very supportive of hydrogen-powered aircraft development and testing as it aligns with the program’s goals to advance transformative vertical lift technologies and broader Department of Defense operational energy goals of energy substitution and diversification, and energy demand reduction.”
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Joby’s pioneering work to decarbonize aviation by advancing battery and now hydrogen fuel cell technology is helping to fight climate change and create a clean energy future that will improve the lives of all Californians. Joby is a stellar example of why California continues to lead the world in clean technology and high-tech manufacturing, according to DeeDee Myers, Senior Advisor to the California Governor. Joby demonstrates potential for emissions-free regional journeys with a landmark 523-mile hydrogen-electric flight.
