TOYOTA, Japan, November 7, 2023 – SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft (*1) manufacturer based in Japan, have jointly developed electric charging facilities for eVTOLs with the Kansai Electric Power Company (“KEPCO”) (*2). We will install and operate the electric charging facilities in Osaka, Kansai for the World EXPO 2025.
With the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” SkyDrive is developing an affordable access eVTOL aircraft for daily mass-transportation. SkyDrive has been selected to participate in the Advanced Air Mobility “Smart Mobility Expo” Project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan where the company will fly its “SKYDRIVE” (*3) eVTOL aircraft. KEPCO is a company developing charging facilities for eVTOLs and studying support for the installation of electric power infrastructure at the eVTOL vertiport with a view to entering the charging infrastructure business.
In 2022, SkyDrive has entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with KEPCO and led to the joint research and development of advanced charging facilities needed for the practical implementation of eVTOL into our daily society. These facilities enable rapid charging with high current and voltage, minimizing turnaround times and ensuring seamless, profitable operations. In addition, the design allows for easy scalability, paving the way for expanded global applications.
■ Future Cooperation
The first charging facilities will be installed at the Flight Test Facility by year’s end, to support our flight test program. Subsequently, another facility will be established at the eVTOL vertiport on Yumeshima Island for the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
SkyDrive and KEPCO remain committed to collaborating closely, striving for the successful deployment of eVTOLs technology in Japan and throughout the world.
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive was formally established in July 2018 after testing flying car concepts and prototypes from 2014 with the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution.” Its vision is to create a future where everyone has access to eVTOLs as their daily transportation in Japan and across the world. The company succeeded in the first crewed eVTOL flight test in Japan in 2019 and its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE” is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) certification. SkyDrive has been selected as a company to participate in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. SkyDrive plans to begin production of ”SKYDRIVE” in the Spring of 2024 at the plant owned by official production partner Suzuki Motor Company. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Tomohiro Fukuzawa is the CEO of the company.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
Editor’s Note:
(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing. eVTOL aircraft are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing. It is also called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
(*2) Kansai Electric Power Company :https://www.kepco.co.jp/english/corporate/pr/2023/pdf/nov7_1.pdf
(*3) “SKYDRIVE” is a product name of SkyDrive Model SD-05. Model SD-05 is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau certification.
Contact:
Yoshimi Yamamoto
Public Relations
SkyDrive Inc.
Email: info@skydrive.co.jp