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Joby to install first electric air taxi charger in New York

February 20, 2024

Joby Aviation, Inc. a developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, has announced a definitive agreement with Helo Holdings, Inc., (“HHI”) to install the first air taxi charger in the greater New York City region at the company’s heliport in Kearny, New Jersey.

This agreement provides Joby with an operational base for its electric air taxi in the NYC region, expanding on the partnership established between Joby and HHI in November 2023.

The Kearny heliport, first opened in 2011, is the largest vertical-lift facility on the East Coast with 27 parking spots for helicopters and plans to expand to 32. As part of the agreement, HHI will upgrade its electrical infrastructure to support the installation of Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (“GEACS”), designed to support the safe and efficient operation of all electric aircraft under development today, including Joby’s quiet, emissions-free air taxi.

The GEACS charging interface is already in use at Joby’s flight test center in Marina, California, and at Edwards Air Force Base. Joby recently announced a definitive agreement with Clay Lacy Aviation to install a charging system at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA.

In 2022, Joby announced a multi-year, multi-city commercial and operational partnership with Delta Air Lines to deliver seamless airport trips for its customers across several locations, including Los Angeles and New York City. Joby’s air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and no in-flight emissions.