![Joby Aviation initiates first eVTOL test flights with a pilot onboard [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Joby-test-flights-pilot.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Joby Aviation initiates first eVTOL test flights with a pilot onboard [Video]
eVTOL developer Joby Aviation continues to deliver key milestones in bringing its all-electric aircraft into commercial operations. Today, Joby confirmed it has completed multiple eVTOL test flights in California with a pilot onboard, with the video footage to back it up. See for yourself below.
Joby Aviation ($JOBY) eVTOL company has been getting a lot of love from Electrek lately because, well frankly, it is delivering newsworthy milestones almost monthly and appears much closer to certified and scaled aircraft production compared to many of the other eVTOL developers we cover.
Aside from its proprietary zero-emissions technology, Joby has separated itself from the aerial pack with the support from companies like Intel, JetBlue, and Toyota – the latter of which has evolved into a major partner.
Aside from commercial businesses, Joby is also touting a $131 million contract with the US Department of Defense (DOD), which includes the delivery of at least nine aircraft – two of which are air taxis for the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
While the Air Force’s first air taxi delivery wasn’t expected until early 2024, we reported in
September that Joby delivered early and test flights were imminent. Today, Joby has confirmed those flights have begun with pilots onboard – a milestone few have achieved and a sight to see for the future of zero-emissions aviation.
According to Joby, piloted test flights are now officially underway in The Golden State, and four of the company’s operators have completed successful trips aboard, including test pilot Zach Reeder in the featured image above. Previously, most of Joby’s flights have been remotely operated from the ground.
The testing occurred at Joby’s Pilot Production Facility in Marina, California, where the pilots completed specific maneuvers in the company’s pre-production aircraft, including free thrustborne hovers and forward transitions into semi-thrustborne flight. Other maneuvers included vertical takeoffs, accelerating and transitioning to forward flight, runway centerline tracking, and decelerating to a vertical landing on a representative landing pad – all necessary for FAA commercial certification someday.
Joby’s pilot test flight campaign was led by chief test pilot James “Buddy” Denham (seen above) with the goal gathering precious handling and control interface data to enable future development of the eVTOL aircraft that will inevitably face FAA certification. Denham spoke:
Having helped design and test flight controls for a wide variety of aircraft, including all three variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, nothing compares to the simplicity and grace of the Joby aircraft. After completing more than 400 vertical take-offs and landings from the ground, it is a privilege to sit in the cockpit of our aircraft and experience first-hand the ease and intuitive nature of the design that the Joby team has developed.
Joby also shared that its recent test flights will gather data alongside the aforementioned testing at the Edwards Air Force Base. That specific testing campaign will be focused on the eVTOL’s flight capabilities in “realistic operating scenarios.”
For now, Joby will continue to operate out of its pilot production line in California while its recently announced manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio, is being erected. When complete, that facility is expected to produce up to 500 aircraft per year. As promised, you can check out the piloted test footage in its entirely in the video below:
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Starting with the 2026 Cadillac Optiq, all future GM EVs will have a built-in NACS port, including the new Chevy Bolt. In the meantime, GM introduced several new charging adapters for current Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EV owners.
GM launches new NACS adapters for EVs
You know how the iPhone seems to get a new plug every year? GM compared the transition to NACS to the evolution of USB-C in smartphones and laptops and the HDMI standard for TVs.
With a similar movement with EV charging transitioning to the NACS standard, GM aims to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Starting with the 2026 Optiq, Cadillac’s new entry-level electric SUV, all future GM EVs will be equipped with an NACS charge point as standard. And yes, that does include the upcoming 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, which is expected to make its official debut by the end of the year.
The company introduced four new chargers this week to “help ensure that every customer can navigate this transition,” including NACS-to-CSS, CSS-to-NACS, and several others.
GM’s new adapters are mainly designed to help drivers access Tesla’s Supercharger Network. However, the company is also offering an adapter for NACS-equipped EVs to connect to its Level 2 PowerShift home charger. Another adapter for NACS-equipped models enables vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities.
The new adapters are in addition to the NACS DC Adapter that GM began selling last year, so drivers could use Tesla Superchargers.
To help you understand which adapter you need, GM has created a helpful graphic. Although it may seem like a lot, the new adapters are really just designed to help current owners get the best charging experience while GM works to add native NACS ports to all its upcoming EVs.
With over 46,000 electric vehicles sold in the second quarter, GM is starting to chip away at Tesla’s dominant lead in the US. Thanks to the new Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV,” Chevy became the fastest-growing electric vehicle brand in the US earlier this year.
With leases starting at just $279 a month, the Chevy Equinox EV is hard to pass up right now. If you want to test out one of GM’s electric vehicles for yourself, you can use our links below to find Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs near you.
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ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT) and Eaton just unveiled ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, a V2X‑ready ultrafast EV charging platform with full‑site power gear that pushes passenger EV charging up to 600 kW and brings megawatt‑level power for heavy‑duty fleets.
What it is
- Express Grid integrates ChargePoint’s Express DC fast chargers with Eaton’s power infrastructure.
- It’s designed to overcome grid constraints and make it easier and cheaper to roll out high‑power charging as more EVs hit the road.
- The system is V2G‑enabled and can sync onsite renewables, energy storage, and EV batteries with local energy markets to help fleets cut fueling costs. With participating utilities and at scale, it can also help balance the grid.
How it works
- Eaton custom engineers each Express configuration and ships the site‑ready power package, with an optional skid‑mounted setup to speed installation, trim equipment needs, and simplify connections to the grid and distributed energy resources (DERs).
- Eaton plans to commercialize solid‑state transformer technology in the next year through its acquisition of Resilient Power Systems to support DC applications for the EV market and beyond.
ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer said the new ChargePoint Express architecture, particularly the Express Grid variant, will “take DC fast charging to levels of performance and cost not previously imagined.” He added, “Combined with Eaton’s end-to-end grid capabilities, ChargePoint is delivering solutions to help EVs win on pure economics, regardless of tax incentives or government support.”
Eaton’s Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of energy transition, called it “industry‑changing technology” that can be deployed faster while achieving new levels of reliability and efficiency “at a significantly lower cost.”
Express solutions are available to order for select customers in North America and Europe, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026.
Quick specs
- Platform: ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton
- Capability: V2X (with integrated V2G)
- Power: Up to 600 kW for passenger EVs; megawatt‑level for heavy‑duty
- Deployment: Site‑ready power package; optional skid‑mounted configuration
- Grid/DER: Built to sync renewables, storage, and vehicle batteries with local energy markets
- Timeline: Orders open (select customers, North America & Europe); deliveries start H2 2026
Read more: Home charging rules as global EV ports soar to 206 million by 2040
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Environment
A Chinese robot vacuum maker is not only trying to build luxury EVs, but compete with Bugatti
Only in China can a company specializing in robot vacuums be bold enough to design, manufacture, and sell EVs. Additionally, China is the only place where such a business could actually work. A company named Dreame Technology is transcending smart appliances and wants to deliver ultra-luxury BEVs. Better still, it’s already targeting Bugatti as its main competitor. Dreame big!
Dreame Technology was founded in 2017 with the goal to, per its website, “revolutionize daily life for our global consumers.” Dreame currently offers a number of electronics that do just that, including robot vacuums, robotic pool cleaners, and hair dryers.
Over the last eight years, Dreame has accumulated manufacturing know-how and its team understands much of the technology behind electric mobility, but does that mean it’s capable of transitioning into a bona fide BEV automaker?
We saw Chinese smartphone behemoth Xiaomi, announce a similar strategy back in 2021. Now, a mere four years later, Xiaomi Automobile’s two flagship BEVs are among China’s most sought-after, and the company is setting world speed records with its technology.
Dreame Technology has likely drawn some inspiration from Xiaomi, but its automotive development plans actually predate the company’s existence. Today, the robot vacuum maker has already assembled a massive team to “Dreame up” its first all-electric model—one it says will compete against the Bugatti Veyron.
From robot vacuums to luxury EVs? Meet Dreame
As reported by CnEVPost, Dreame Technology officially announced its entry into the ultra-competitive BEV industry in China, beginning with an ultra-luxe model planned for a 2027 debut that will compete against the Bugatti Veyron.
The flagship EV from the robot vacuum developer will be powered by Dreame super motors as well as an intelligent ecosystem that differs from traditional luxury vehicles, enabling “seamless integration” with user smart homes and smartphones. Per Dreame Technology:
Today, Dreame officially announces its entry into automotive manufacturing to build the world’s fastest car.
While Dreame’s decision to evolve beyond robot vacuums and pool cleaners into BEVs may seem hasty, the company explained that its plans for vehicle development actually date back to 2013, four years before the current iteration of the company was established.
Per the company, it has already assembled an automotive team of nearly 1,000 people, which it will continue to expand as development of its flagship BEV model continues. The company added:
We may not be the earliest to embark on this journey, but we will be the most determined.
What do you guys think? Can a robot vacuum company deliver the world’s fastest BEV? Can it even deliver an all-electric model that can compete in China’s saturated market? Xiaomi did it, so there’s hope. This will be a developing story to keep an eye on.
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