Joby unveils European air taxi service 

U.S. air taxi group Joby Aviation plans its European launch in the UK, before the end of the decade. The air taxi is an emissions-free electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft


Hydrogen-electric air taxi

Demonstrator: Comes with six hydrogen-powered electric propulsion units for each of eVTOL aircraft’s tilting propellers – water is only in-flight emission

Pilot and four passengers carried at speeds of up to 322km/h


Sep 2009: JoeBen Bevirt (left), founds Joby. Listed on New York Stock Exchange in 2021, it has raised more than $2 billion in funding from investors, including Toyota, which is manufacturing partner

Jul 2021: Joby flies full-size prototype air taxi more than 240km on single charge, including vertical take-off and landing

Jun 2023: Joby receives U.S. Special Airworthiness Certificate allowing test flights to take off

Nov: Aircraft becomes first electric air taxi to fly in New York City

Feb 2024: Joby signs agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to launch flying taxi service in early 2026

Jun: Prototype (right) completes 842km test flight in California

Jul: CEO Bevirt announces at Farnborough International Airshow he is looking for locations in London and northern England to launch first European air taxi service


Sources: Aviation International News, Joby Aviation 
Pictures: Getty Images, Joby Aviation
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