More from Air taxis: the latest on the flying electric cars bringing the Jetsons dream to life
The automaker (parent company to Jeep and Dodge) announced a purchase of 8.3 million shares in eVTOL company Archer, in a deal roughly worth over $39 million. Stellantis already has a deal to manufacture Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which are set to launch in 2025. Today’s open market stock purchase is meant to signal “Stellantis’ continued confidence in Archer’s plans” to bring its aircraft to market. Despite numerous layoffs, trade secret disputes, and company shutdowns, the eVTOL true believers are still racing to get something in the air to prove all this cash burn has been worth it.
Joby’s agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority gives the startup exclusivity to run its electric air tax services for six years. Part of the deal with Dubai includes a contract with Skyports to design, build, and operate four “vertiports” for vertical takeoffs and landings.
Joby recently performed a few exhibition flights in Manhattan (shown below) and plans to start flying commercial passengers in cities like New York and Los Angeles in 2025.
