Japan grants eVTOL maker SkyDrive $82M for AAM development
In a move reflecting the national interests in the race between next-generation aviation companies to bring advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles to market, Japan’s SkyDrive has received 12.4 billion yen ($82.7 million) from the government to support the development of the startup’s electric vertical takeoff and landing craft (eVTOL).
SkyDrive’s work on its piloted two-passenger SD-05 eVTOL has secured it a reputation as one of Japan’s leading developers of next-generation AAM aircraft. With Japan already looking with enormous interest at eVTOL services like air taxis to alleviate the nation’s chronic road congestion, the government’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (“METI”) is granting SkyDrive $82.7 million to support its activity in “advanced technologies that address societal challenges.”
In an era not all that long gone, such state largesse of a company active in an emerging, high-stakes industrial sector would have provoked verbal and legal wars between US, European, and Japanese rivals brandishing unfair competition accusations. That, clearly, is not the case in AAM, despite leading actors pushing hard to obtain certification in time for initial eVTOL service launches in 2025 and 2026.
Indeed, several top startups preparing eVTOL craft around the globe have established research, testing, and tech adaptation relationships with their national government agencies and militaries. Japan’s support of Skydrive under its Small and Medium Enterprise Innovation Promotion Project (SBIR) is, therefore, another feature in that contest among leading AAM developers to tap a range of activities, aiding them to be among the first to bring their aircraft to market.
For example, Silicon Valley firms Archer and Joby both have solid partnerships with the US Air Force and NASA. More than one skeptical online wag, meanwhile, has intimated China’s recent aircraft type certification of EHang’s EH216-S was at least partly designed to give the company bragging rights (and operational advantages) as the first AAM aircraft maker to pass that enormous eVTOL milestone.
SkyDrive’s METI grant now becomes part of that wider global free market-state partnered patchwork.
According to the company’s announcement, the $82.7 million SBIR grant is designed for research developing SkyDrive eVTOLs for both passenger use, like air taxis, and diverse enterprise and government applications.
Significantly, however, the startup also notes the funding will support its efforts as one of roughly 10 companies around the world working to obtain aircraft certification. The first among those cleared for service, of course, will have a considerable advantage staking out turf and customers in the nascent AAM market.
“The SBIR program enables SkyDrive to accelerate its research and development efforts, focusing on improving the performance, safety, and efficiency of its eVTOL aircraft… and also to obtain Type Certification for commercial operation in the next five years,” the communiqué says. “It will also support the development of new technologies and systems necessary for the successful deployment of eVTOLs in Japan and beyond.”
SkyDrive has already commenced the certification process of its SD-05 eVTOL with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. It also began laying the groundwork for AAM authorization and sales of the plane in the US with its decision last February to open offices in South Carolina.
Prior to the MEITI research grant, the company raised $183 million in capital from financial backers, including over $65 million during a funding round completed a year ago.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
When the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit expired September 30th, a number of carmakers leaped into action, offering rebates, price cuts, and promos of their own in a bid to keep the good times rolling. Now, it seems like even Rolls-Royce is getting in on the act with a fresh $5,000 rebate of its own for November.
CarScoops is reporting a rare lease incentive offering on the ultra-luxe Rolls-Royce Spectre electric coupe that it says, “replaces the expired $7,500 Federal EV tax credit.”
Granted, with the price of the base Spectre starting at $397,750 and climbing quickly to $467,750 for the Spectre Black Badge model, the big coupe is well above the old $80K cap and its buyers likely make far too much to qualify anyway — but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my few brushes with Real Wealth™, it’s this: those hate paying taxes.
As such, it’s not that hard to imagine a Rolls-Royce salesperson explaining this in those terms. “This isn’t a discount or a sale or anything so gaudy,” he’d explain, dismissing any concern as petty as price. “We’re simply honoring the tax credit that you deserve.”
Rolling deep
The Rolls-Royce Spectre first rolled (Ha!) into showrooms in 2023 with a perfect sufficient 430 kW (577 hp) electric motor drawing energy from a stout, 120 kWh battery pack good for up to 265 miles (~425 km) of range. The Black Badge version bumps the horsepower to 650 (485 kW), but the purists will tell you that either number is enough.
You can find out more about Rolls-Royce’ EV leas deals, below, then let us know what you think about this sordid business of “discount dash” in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
SOURCE: CarScoops; images via Rolls-Royce.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Germany is about to become home to Europe’s largest battery storage system – a massive 1 gigawatt (GW) / 4 gigawatt-hour (GWh) project in Jänschwalde, Brandenburg.
LEAG Clean Power GmbH and Fluence Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of US-based Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC), are teaming up to build the “GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000.” The four-hour system will use Fluence’s Smartstack technology, its latest large-scale energy storage solution.
Once complete, Europe’s largest battery storage project will play a key role in stabilizing Germany’s grid and storing renewable power for when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. It’s designed to deliver essential grid services, support energy trading, and boost energy security as the country phases out fossil fuels.
LEAG’s broader “GigawattFactory” plan combines solar and wind farms with flexible power plants and large-scale batteries across Germany’s Lusatian energy region. “By constructing gigascale storage facilities, we’re addressing one of the biggest challenges of the energy transition: ensuring constant power regardless of the availability of renewable energies,” said Adi Roesch, CEO of the LEAG Group.
Fluence CEO Julian Nebreda described the project as a “milestone for the energy future of Germany and Europe,” adding that it demonstrates how collaboration and cutting-edge technology can “transform the foundation of our economy and our everyday lives.”
The German government recently reaffirmed the importance of storage in building a secure and affordable clean power system. With this 4 GWh giant, LEAG and Fluence are implementing that priority in one of Europe’s most coal-heavy regions.
Read more: Battery boom: 5.6 GW of US energy storage added in Q2
If you’re looking to replace your old HVAC equipment, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you’re finding a trusted, reliable HVAC installer near you that offers competitive pricing on heat pumps, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to get a heat pump. They have pre-vetted heat pump installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions. Plus, it’s free to use!
Your personalized heat pump quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – *ad
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024