Photo: Archer Aviation
Like most of the top eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) makers in the industry, Archer is currently focusing on infrastructure on the one hand and setting the stage for large-scale production on the other. The Midnight air taxi is getting ready to start operating in some of the most congested cities in the US.
Archer isn't playing small. It plans to have its Midnight eVTOL kick off commercial operations in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas, where it could really make a difference in traffic congestion. The upcoming network will gradually expand to Northern California and South Florida.
In terms of infrastructure, the game plan is to use existing locations of established operators as launching pads for air taxi services by installing dedicated charging systems. This will help speed things up tremendously instead of having to build special vertiports from scratch. And this is also where team play comes up. Archer is working with two specific partners to make it happen. One is a fixed-base operator (FBO) aviation services provider, and the other is also an eVTOL maker, but one that also develops dedicated charging solutions for all air taxis.
As part of this joint effort, Atlantic Aviation will electrify operations at several of its locations across the US. That is where the BETA Technologies chargers will be installed. These are inter-operable, rapid charging units based on a combined charging system (CCS) endorsed by GAMA (the General Aviation Manufacturers Association).
BETA Technologies is a reputable pioneer when it comes to air taxi charging. In 2023, it was linked to the first charging station for electric air taxis installed in Massachusetts, as well as the first-ever electric charger for eVTOLs installed at an Air Force base. More than 50 other charging stations are currently in the process of being installed across the US. By next year, BETA hopes to reach the goal of 150 active charging sites. And this is all in addition to developing and testing its own electric aircraft, the famous Alia.
Archer's eVTOL, on the other hand, stands out as the only one officially backed by the automotive giant Stellantis. Towards the end of 2022, Archer officially introduced the Midnight aircraft that will be commercially produced in collaboration with Stellantis. Midnight also enjoyed tremendous success in the market, with an impressive pre-order from United Airlines.
The Midnight air taxi is a five-seater (four passengers plus the pilot) aiming to replace typical one-hour commutes with zero-emission flights that are three times shorter, noise-free, and cost-effective.
Following this partnership with Atlantic, Archer plans to kick off air taxi operations in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas as soon as next year. From there, it will gradually expand to other locations and ramp up production of its electric aircraft.
In terms of infrastructure, the game plan is to use existing locations of established operators as launching pads for air taxi services by installing dedicated charging systems. This will help speed things up tremendously instead of having to build special vertiports from scratch. And this is also where team play comes up. Archer is working with two specific partners to make it happen. One is a fixed-base operator (FBO) aviation services provider, and the other is also an eVTOL maker, but one that also develops dedicated charging solutions for all air taxis.
As part of this joint effort, Atlantic Aviation will electrify operations at several of its locations across the US. That is where the BETA Technologies chargers will be installed. These are inter-operable, rapid charging units based on a combined charging system (CCS) endorsed by GAMA (the General Aviation Manufacturers Association).
BETA Technologies is a reputable pioneer when it comes to air taxi charging. In 2023, it was linked to the first charging station for electric air taxis installed in Massachusetts, as well as the first-ever electric charger for eVTOLs installed at an Air Force base. More than 50 other charging stations are currently in the process of being installed across the US. By next year, BETA hopes to reach the goal of 150 active charging sites. And this is all in addition to developing and testing its own electric aircraft, the famous Alia.
Archer's eVTOL, on the other hand, stands out as the only one officially backed by the automotive giant Stellantis. Towards the end of 2022, Archer officially introduced the Midnight aircraft that will be commercially produced in collaboration with Stellantis. Midnight also enjoyed tremendous success in the market, with an impressive pre-order from United Airlines.
The Midnight air taxi is a five-seater (four passengers plus the pilot) aiming to replace typical one-hour commutes with zero-emission flights that are three times shorter, noise-free, and cost-effective.
Following this partnership with Atlantic, Archer plans to kick off air taxi operations in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas as soon as next year. From there, it will gradually expand to other locations and ramp up production of its electric aircraft.
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