Electric aircraft maker Joby Aviation has announced plans to invest up to $500 million to construct a new facility in Dayton, Ohio. The 140-acre site at Dayton International Airport will serve as the company’s first serial production location, as opposed to the prototypes built at its pilot production line in California.
Joby founder JoeBen Bevirt stated that the company is actively working towards obtaining Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with the goal of commencing commercial passenger service by 2025. Bevirt added that Joby plans to commence hiring immediately to establish aircraft component manufacturing at existing buildings on the Dayton site. Construction of the new production facility will begin in 2024, with operations expected to start in 2025.
Specific production rates and the amount of funding allocated for the construction of the Dayton facility were not disclosed by Bevirt. However, Joby mentioned that the state of Ohio and various political organizations have offered up to $325 million in incentives and benefits to support the development of the Dayton site. The company envisions a future in which the site could house manufacturing facilities larger than the Pentagon, employ 2,000 individuals, and produce 500 aircraft annually.
Joby’s business model differentiates itself from competitors like Archer Aviation and Beta Technologies, which aim to directly sell aircraft to airlines and logistics companies. Instead, Joby’s approach more closely resembles that of rideshare apps, where customers can request rides on Joby’s air taxis, owned and operated by the company.
While Joby has been flying full-scale aircraft since 2017, it recently unveiled its first production-representative prototype in June, capable of accommodating four passengers and a pilot. Bevirt emphasized that the company is actively expanding its testing team to conduct numerous tests and evaluations required to obtain FAA certification.
Joby’s new facility in Dayton, Ohio represents a significant step towards realizing the company’s vision of revolutionizing urban mobility through the deployment of its eVTOL aircraft. With plans for mass production and commercial passenger service by 2025, Joby is positioning itself as a key player in the emerging electric aircraft industry.
Reporting by Valerie Insinna, editing by Timothy Gardner
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
