First Look: Joby Aviation's electric VTOL taxi takes flight
Joby Aviation’s as-yet-unnamed aircraft is likely to be the world’s first certified and operational electric airborne taxi thanks to some serious financial backing, and manufacturing support from Toyota.
Joby Aviation positions itself as premier air taxi start-up after successful flight trials and solid backing
Air taxis were all the rage in 2020, with Uber Elevate promising an operational air taxi trial in 2020. Even the Australian media lapped it up, but, quelle surprise, the concept died a quiet death. Clearly, Uber realised that the company’s focus should likely focus on profitability from its ride-share app.
Enter Joby Aviation, based in Santa Cruz, California. Founder and CEO JoBen Bevirt likes to fly under the radar, but is known for selling his previous company Velocity11, which is a leader in liquid-handling robots and lab automation.
Joby Aviation is likely on the cusp of purchasing Uber Elevate according to Axios, and their as-yet-unnamed aircraft is set to be the world’s first certified and operational electric airborne taxi thanks to some serious financial backing, and manufacturing support from Toyota.
Joby Aviation’s eVTOL taxi. Images: Joby Aviation
Joby Aviation has agreed on certification terms with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and has received close to US$1 billion in funding from Toyota, Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective and Capricorn Investment Group.
Joby has released the below videos to increase investor hype as it prepares to go public on the New York Stock Exchange with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Reinvent Technology Partners. The combined company will have a pro forma implied valuation of US$6.6 billion.
Six rotors and a 240 kilometre range.
The silent aircraft features five-seats, and can reach 322 km/h (200 mph) and travel 240 kilometres (150 miles using current battery technology) With six large tilting rotors to achieve vertical lift and horizontal winged cruise, its design has won praise from many aviation experts, and could genuinely revolutionise the way many people commute and travel. The reliability and simplicity of battery electric systems and electric motors will mean that manufacturing and maintenance costs will be low, and the silent flight would allow the Joby aircraft to operate in airspace helicopters can only dream about.
Bevirt hopes that rides will eventually cost the same as an Uber X, around US$2.50 per mile. Morgan Stanley estimates the air-transport category could generate $674 billion a year in fares worldwide by 2040, and Joby is planning to be ready, with construction beginning on a 450,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, designed in conjunction with Toyota, later in 2021.
UK’s greenest taxi fleet to add five new MG5 EV wagons to its Manchester roster
The MG5 EV estate is an electric vehicle with plenty of space, and an accessible entry price, making it perfect for taxi duties. Premier Taxis was named GreenFleet Private Hire/Taxi Company of the year thanks to its EV initiative after it began operating electric taxis in 2015.
Five MG 5 EV wagons set to join Lancashire taxi fleet
The MG5 EV estate is an electric vehicle with plenty of space, and an accessible entry price, making it perfect for taxi duties. Premier Taxis was named GreenFleet Private Hire/Taxi Company of the year thanks to its EV initiative after it began operating electric taxis in 2015.
The new all-electric MGs replace Toyota Auris Hybrids on the Premier fleet and will be used across the Lancashire firm’s region, as well as airport transfers where the large luggage capacity comes in handy.
Premier Taxis Business Manager, Nikita Cutler, said: “The MG5 EV is great as it has a larger luggage capacity. This will come in handy as these vehicles are viable for airport transfers to Manchester, allowing us to offer customers the opportunity to use a Zero Emission airport transfer service for the first time.
“They will also be really handy for local journeys for those customers who have just been shopping, or for when we are collecting shopping for our most vulnerable customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The MG5 is a spacious, affordable estate priced from £24,495. Image: Auto Express
Premier Taxis is gradually converting its entire fleet to electric-only thanks to huge reductions in running costs as well as positive feedback from its passengers.
“The investment in new electric vehicles is money well spent as operating costs for the company and drivers have reduced while at the same time allowing us to contribute to improving the air quality around Lytham St. Annes, Blackpool and Wyre,” added Nikita. “Electric vehicles also require less day-to-day maintenance, further reducing cost.
“Our customers find them very comfortable, enjoy the smooth and quiet ride and some of them choose only to travel in a 100% Electric vehicle as they understand the difference Zero Emission travel can make to local air quality.”
Premier Taxis driver Steve Foster added: “I have already been managing more than 200 miles (320 kilometres) on a single charge. I plug the car in at home at 5pm and that will last me until the following day at 5pm.
“Our old cars cost £22 to get to Manchester Airport. With the MG it will cost hardly anything to complete the same trip so they make great sense for a taxi driver.”
The MG5 EV is the UK’s first and only all-electric estate (wagon) model, and has a usable luggage capacity of up to 1,456 litres (578 litres with rear seats up). With a 52.5kWh battery, the MG5 has a single-speed front-mounted motor that produces 115kW (154hp) and 260Nm of torque. It has a respectable 0-100kmh (0-62mph) time of 7.7 seconds.
Sadly, SAIC Motor Australia has ruled out the MG5 for the Australian market, and is relying on the MG ZS EV to fly the electric flag for the brand down under. Most likely this is a business decision based on low EV uptake in the Australian market, and a consumer penchant for high-riding SUVs over estates.
