Joby Aviation’s hydrogen-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) demonstrator aircraft completed a groundbreaking 523-mile flight above Marina, California on June 24, 2024. The flight, producing only water as a byproduct, showcased the potential for emissions-free regional air travel.
Government Support for Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Development
The landmark test flight aligns with the goals of the AFWERX Agility Prime program, which supports the development and testing of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, highlighted the potential of clean hydrogen in decarbonizing the aviation system for decades to come.
Joby’s Hydrogen-Electric Demonstrator Technology
Joby’s hydrogen-electric demonstrator incorporates key technologies:
- Liquid hydrogen fuel tank: Stores up to 40 kilograms of liquid hydrogen.
- Fuel cell system: Produces electricity, water, and heat from stored hydrogen.
- Electric motors: Powered by the hydrogen fuel cell.
- Batteries: Provide additional power during take-off and landing.
Joby CEO Highlights Importance of Clean Air Travel
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Traveling by air is central to human progress, but we need to find ways to make it cleaner. With our battery-electric air taxi set to fundamentally change the way we move around cities, we’re excited to now be building a technology stack that could redefine regional travel using hydrogen-electric aircraft.”
Joby’s Commitment to Leading New Aviation Technologies
In addition to its hydrogen-electric demonstrator, Joby recently acquired Xwing Inc., an industry leader in the development of autonomous technology for aviation. Joby plans to start commercial operations as soon as 2025 using its battery-electric air taxi. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has raised more than $2 billion in funding to date, with investments from major players such as Toyota, Delta Air Lines, SK Telecom, Uber, and Baillie Gifford.
Joby demonstrates potential for emissions-free regional journeys with landmark 523-mile hydrogen-electric flight. Source