Charging Tech Revolutionizes Air Travel

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The development of flying taxis transporting passengers has brought about new developments in the industry of electric VTOL aircraft.

Flying taxi firm Lilium and Swedish/Swiss tech multinational ABB are collaborating in the development of a superfast charging system for eVTOL aircraft that will allow them to increase the amount of time their machines spend in the skies transporting passengers.

ABB is expected to provide the battery charging infrastructure for Lilium’s high-speed regional air network, scheduled for commercial launch in 2024. Lilium provides a seven-seater eVTOL passenger aircraft, the Lilium Jet. 

The approximate time to fully charge batteries is 30 minutes.

Lilium says speedy charge times will help it to stay profitable while maintaining affordable fairs for travelers, as it will allow it to keep its aircraft almost constantly airborne.

The new MegaWatt charger will allow direct current (DC) charging of up to 1,000 kW. 

The system’s power, alongside the fact that the Lilium Jet will have an initial range of 155 miles (250 km) and a cruise speed around 175 mph (282 km/h), means that Lilium will be able to fly each of its aircraft between 20 and 25 times per day. 

The system will also be available for heavy-duty electric vehicles such as trucks and buses, according to interestingengineering.com.