A hydrogen fuel powered flying taxi just flew 523 CO2 emission-free miles

The Joby Aviation vertical takeoff aircraft is somewhat like a flying car in its design

Joby Aviation has created a hydrogen fuel powered vertical takeoff aircraft not unlike a flying car, which has just completed its first test flight using H2 power, traveling a distance of 523 miles.

The craft was able to travel carbon emission free, emitting only water vapor

The company is featuring its new hydrogen fuel powered vehicle as a form of environmentally friendly alternative to jets using traditional fossil fuels.  The aircraft would be used for mid-range, regional travel.

The test flight was deemed successful, having shown that it is possible to use an existing electric aircraft and retrofit it to run on H2 fuel cells in order to boost the plane’s range.

Joby Aviation is one of a growing number of companies focusing on the use of H2 for regional flights.  That said, it is in a notably smaller group of companies currently looking into the development of an air taxi service that would be capable of vertical takeoffs and landings.

Turning to hydrogen fuel powered aircraft

Until very recently, Joby Aviation has placed its attention on the creation of fully battery electric aircraft.  Those vehicles have a range closer to 100 miles and are geared toward transportation within cities or from various locations to larger airports. 

Joby’s hydrogen-electric technology demonstrator aircraft – Image Source: Joby Aviation

The company tested its technology by using a pre-production prototype of one of its battery electric crafts and installed a liquid H2 fuel tank and system. The modified aircraft was able to successfully complete its test flight of 523 miles over Marina, California, emitting only water vapor.  Upon landing, the aircraft still had 10 percent of the liquid H2 in its fuel tank.

It started with the acquisition of H2Fly

In 2022, Joby Aviation acquired H2Fly, a hydrogen fuel powered aircraft startup.  With that acquisition, it was able to branch out from battery electric vehicles to those powered by H2 as well.  Last year, it was able to complete its first piloted flight of an aircraft fueled by liquid H2. 

“Traveling by air is central to human progress, but we need to find ways to make it cleaner,” said JoeBen Bevirt, the CEO of Joby Aviation.