Sao Polo: Hitachi Energy and Eve Air Mobility have announced a new partnership to develop the electrical infrastructure needed to support the next generation of electric flying taxis. The agreement marks an important step toward making urban air mobility a practical reality, as both companies aim to ensure that cities are ready with the power systems required before electric aircraft begin commercial operations later this decade.
Eve Air Mobility, a company backed by Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, is developing electric vertical take off and landing aircraft, commonly known as eVTOLs or flying taxis. These aircraft are designed to carry passengers on short trips across cities, offering a faster and cleaner alternative to road transport. While significant progress has been made in aircraft development, experts say that building the supporting infrastructure is just as important if these services are to become successful.
Under the new partnership, Hitachi Energy will bring its expertise in power grids, electricity distribution and digital energy management to help create reliable charging systems for Eve's future aircraft. The companies will work together to design electrical infrastructure for vertiports, which are dedicated locations where flying taxis will take off, land and recharge between flights.
Unlike electric cars, flying taxis require very large amounts of electricity within a short period of time. Several aircraft may need to recharge at the same time during busy operating hours, placing heavy demands on local electricity networks. The companies believe that smart energy management, high capacity charging stations and improved grid connections will be essential for keeping future air taxi services running smoothly.
The collaboration will also explore ways to integrate renewable energy and battery storage into vertiport operations. These technologies could help reduce pressure on city power grids while supporting cleaner transportation. Digital systems will also be developed to monitor electricity use, balance demand and improve the overall efficiency of charging operations.
Industry experts have long warned that the success of electric aviation depends not only on aircraft technology but also on the availability of modern electrical infrastructure. As more companies move closer to commercial operations, attention has shifted from designing aircraft to preparing the complete ecosystem needed for daily passenger services.
Eve Air Mobility has continued to make steady progress with its aircraft development program. The company has been carrying out testing on its full scale prototype and is working toward certification of its eVTOL aircraft in 2028. Earlier this year, Eve also confirmed that it had a strong financial position with sufficient cash reserves to continue its development programme while carefully managing spending.
The company has already attracted interest from airlines, helicopter operators and urban mobility providers around the world. It has built a large order pipeline, reflecting growing confidence that electric aircraft could become part of future city transport systems once regulatory approvals are completed and supporting infrastructure is in place.
For Hitachi Energy, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its role in the growing advanced air mobility industry. The company has extensive experience in modernising power grids and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources across different regions. Applying this expertise to aviation infrastructure could help cities prepare for the increasing electricity demands that flying taxi networks are expected to create.
The agreement also highlights a wider trend across the aviation industry. Companies are increasingly recognising that successful electric air travel will require close cooperation between aircraft manufacturers, energy providers, infrastructure developers and city planners. Without reliable charging systems and strong electricity networks, even the most advanced aircraft would struggle to operate efficiently.
Although financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, the partnership is seen as an important milestone in preparing cities for commercial electric aviation. By combining Eve's knowledge of aircraft operations with Hitachi Energy's expertise in power infrastructure, the two companies hope to create practical solutions that will support the safe and efficient introduction of flying taxi services in the coming years.
As urban populations continue to grow and cities search for cleaner and faster transportation options, partnerships such as this are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of air mobility. The success of electric flying taxis will depend not only on innovative aircraft but also on the invisible network of power systems that keeps them operating every day.