Vaidehi Bhargava
Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation recently marked a major milestone in electric air mobility with the first international demonstration flight of Joby’s electric air taxi at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan. The flight demonstrated Joby’s low-noise, emissions-free electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft near Mount Fuji, showcasing the potential for clean, urban air travel solutions. This demonstration follows a nearly seven-year collaboration between the two companies, with Toyota bringing manufacturing expertise and a recent $500 million investment to support Joby’s commercial production efforts.
Toyota has invested around $894 million in Joby to date, positioning itself as a key partner in developing Joby’s eVTOL aircraft, which can carry four passengers and a pilot at speeds up to 200 mph with a range of 100 miles. This new form of mobility aims to alleviate urban congestion and reduce environmental impacts, offering a quieter and sustainable alternative to traditional air travel. The aircraft is particularly suited for urban and intercity routes, aiming to provide efficient, noise-minimized transportation for crowded environments.
Toyota’s executives, including Chairman Akio Toyoda and executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima, attended the event. Nakajima emphasized the transformative potential of air mobility to change how people perceive distance and time. As part of the partnership, Toyota will supply essential powertrain and actuation components for Joby’s production models, reinforcing its commitment to the future of clean air mobility.
Looking ahead, Joby and Toyota’s joint efforts will likely contribute to the growing field of urban air mobility, with Joby planning to begin U.S. operations by 2025, potentially in partnership with Delta Air Lines for airport routes. While there are no official plans yet for commercial operations in Japan, the demonstration flight signals an important step toward a future where sustainable air mobility could be widely available.