Joby Aviation is eagerly preparing for the future beyond its upcoming commercial launch of an electric air taxi tailored for urban settings. The startup is setting its sights on intercity flight, with a focus on harnessing the power of hydrogen.
In order to initiate a dialogue with regulators and showcase the potential of hydrogen, Joby recently announced the successful completion of a 523-mile test flight. This impressive feat was achieved using a hydrogen-electric prototype aircraft, specifically one of their eVTOLs equipped with a liquid hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen-electric propulsion system.
Joby Aviation is currently developing eVTOLs that are designed for efficient transportation within cities and from cities to airports. The aircraft are equipped with batteries and have a range of 100 miles. Joby suggests that hydrogen can serve as a range-extender, which could have potential applications in specific regions. 
“This represents a significant milestone for the aviation industry,” stated JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby, in an interview with Eltrys. “For those seeking to cover extensive distances or enjoy extended periods in the air, the advent of hydrogen-electric technology has truly revolutionized the game.”
There has been ongoing debate surrounding the use of hydrogen as a fuel source for vehicles. Hydrogen can be considered a zero-emission fuel source as it only releases water during its use. However, the production of this product can be quite costly and requires a significant amount of energy. Additionally, the majority of the current supply is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels. Despite being generated from renewable energy sources, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen is still limited.
Nevertheless, the sector is experiencing a resurgence thanks to significant investments in green hydrogen, such as the $8 billion hydrogen hub program included in Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. According to Bevirt, aviation has the capacity to become a significant user of environmentally friendly hydrogen.
It’s fascinating how hydrogen weighs three times less than jet fuel per unit of energy. According to Bevirt, it is significantly lighter than current batteries in terms of energy per unit. “Moreover, hydrogen fuel cells enable us to efficiently convert the chemical energy in hydrogen into propulsion, resulting in twice the efficiency.”
Joby has been strategically preparing to incorporate hydrogen into its eVTOLs. In 2021, Joby successfully completed the acquisition of H2Fly, a pioneering hydrogen aviation startup based in Germany. In a remarkable display of innovation, H2Fly successfully showcased a piloted flight using a cutting-edge liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft. Building upon this groundbreaking technology, Joby has now harnessed the power of hydrogen to create an impressive hydrogen-powered version of its eVTOL aircraft. According to Bevirt’s statement to Eltrys, H2Fly successfully created a fuel cell system capable of providing power to the six electric motors on the Joby aircraft and recharging its batteries while in flight.
Joby is currently in the demonstration phase, but once the startup is ready to start testing regional flights, Bevirt stated that it will seamlessly integrate hydrogen-powered eVTOLs into its current system without incurring significant costs.
“The battery-electric aircraft we’ve constructed is enhanced with a hydrogen-electric range extender, incorporating 90% of the existing systems and components,” explained Bevirt. With a minimal additional investment, we have the opportunity to utilize the existing vertiports, pilots, mechanics, and the efficient Elevate operating system that handles all the necessary backend processes.
ElevateOS, a crucial component of Joby’s upcoming air taxi service, pays homage to Uber’s Elevate air taxi venture, which Joby acquired in 2020. The sale included a set of software tools that allow for convenient and immediate mobility, similar to requesting an Uber ride. In fact, Joby’s app will be seamlessly integrated with Uber and Delta Airlines, serving as the startup’s launch partners.
“By using either the Joby app or the Uber app, you now have the ability to travel not only within your city but also across the entire region,” Bevirt explained.
Some investors remain skeptical.
Cyrus Sigari, co-founder and managing partner of VC Up.Partners, expressed his enthusiasm for the idea of a hydrogen-powered eVTOL becoming a reality. However, he emphasized that investors would require a strong technical and business case before considering investment in this particular category.
According to him, one of the major obstacles is related to the infrastructure.
“The industry is already grappling with the challenge of developing charging infrastructure at airports to support battery electric aircraft,” Sigari informed Eltrys. Introducing hydrogen filling stations into the mix will undoubtedly bring about a whole new set of obstacles.
The recent shutdown of Universal Hydrogen, a prominent player in the hydrogen space for powering traditional airlines, has highlighted the challenges involved in this industry.
Bevirt remained unfazed when questioned about the hydrogen filling stations.
“According to Bevirt’s statement to Eltrys, we anticipate that this will not pose a major obstacle to the rollout.” “We are currently engaged in discussions with numerous airports, both domestically and internationally, that are actively investing in the development of liquid hydrogen refueling infrastructure.”
While Universal Hydrogen unfortunately had to close its doors due to insufficient funding, ZeroAvia achieved a major milestone by securing a significant contract with American Airlines. The airline has committed to purchasing 100 hydrogen-powered engines, showcasing the growing interest in this innovative technology.
Joby did not specify a timeline for the launch of its hydrogen-powered eVTOLs. However, the purpose of the demonstration flight is to initiate discussions with green hydrogen producers and regulators.
“This is a crucial opportunity to initiate discussions with regulators, both domestically and internationally, to emphasize the readiness and availability of the technology. It is high time to establish the necessary framework for certification,” expressed Bevirt.
