Joby Secretly Bought a Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Developer

California-based air taxi developer Joby Aviation confirmed to FLYING that it secretly purchased German hydrogen-powered aircraft developer H2Fly.

Thom Patterson

Thursday, June 09, 2022 at 01:16 PM ET

Verified

H2Fly’s four-seat HY4 aircraft is being used as a test platform for further development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. [Courtesy: H2FLY]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation, known for its battery-powered eVTOLs, secretly acquired German hydrogen-powered aircraft developer H2Fly in 2021.
This acquisition signals Joby's long-term strategy to explore hydrogen-electric propulsion for longer-range aircraft, complementing its existing focus on battery-powered air taxis for shorter trips.
Joby's CEO has publicly advocated for hydrogen-electric powertrains as crucial for future zero-emission, longer-distance aviation, and H2Fly brings expertise including a record-setting hydrogen-powered flight and plans for a 40-seat aircraft by 2025.

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Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY), which is currently test flying a battery-powered electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, apparently has been actively exploring operating hydrogen-electric aircraft as well.

The California-based air taxi developer confirmed to FLYING late Wednesday it secretly acquired German hydrogen-powered aircraft developer H2Fly in 2021. The revelation was first reported by The Air Current.