Photo: Archer
The electric air taxi phenomenon has reached a point where we can see tangible results. For years, most of the work was carried out behind the scenes, and now we are starting to see certified aircraft, vertiports, and manufacturing facilities coming to life. One of the top eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) companies in the US, Archer Aviation, is leading the way with remarkable achievements, including the launch of a dedicated manufacturing line for electric aircraft battery packs.
Archer air taxis will be manufactured in Covington, Georgia, where the eVTOL company is currently building a high-volume production facility. The Covington facility is due to be completed by the end of this year. In the meantime, Archer has already completed the installation of a dedicated manufacturing line for battery packs.
This new line is located in San Jose, California, and is part of the company's Integrated Test Lab and Manufacturing Facilities. In line with the upcoming aircraft manufacturing facility in Georgia, this one was also described by Archer as "high-volume" and "automotive-style." This translates to an impressive capacity of up to 15,000 battery packs per year. It was also meant to support high-level production from day one.
Automation has a lot to do with the new facility's high-performance level. Things like cell test and load, as well as end-of-line testing, will be carried out autonomously. The Archer battery packs use cylindrical cells due to their proven safety and performance record.
These battery packs will support the performance and reliability of the Midnight electric aircraft, a four-seat eVTOL designed for passenger transportation. Earlier this year, these battery packs successfully passed extreme tests conducted at a National Institute for Aviation laboratory. The tests were simulations of various impact scenarios during which the batteries, at different states of charge, had to continue to function without signs of failure.
Archer plans to initially roll out around 650 aircraft units from its facility in Georgia and gradually increase to a massive capacity of up to 2,000 units per year. As one of the few eVTOL makers worldwide to be backed by a major automotive group, the Californian Archer has great odds to succeed in this emerging industry. Stellantis became a strategic partner in 2020 and an official investor in 2021. This year, it increased its strategic shareholding in the air taxi company with a recent investment of more than $8 million.
The Midnight air taxi promises a short range of 20 miles (32 km) on a single charge and a maximum speed of 150 mph (241 kph). It also boasts an innovative cabin design that will incorporate sustainable materials such as recycled plastic bottles. With the Archer battery pack line already on a roll and the aircraft manufacturing facility due to be completed this year, the Midnight eVTOL is on track to enter commercial service next year.
This new line is located in San Jose, California, and is part of the company's Integrated Test Lab and Manufacturing Facilities. In line with the upcoming aircraft manufacturing facility in Georgia, this one was also described by Archer as "high-volume" and "automotive-style." This translates to an impressive capacity of up to 15,000 battery packs per year. It was also meant to support high-level production from day one.
Automation has a lot to do with the new facility's high-performance level. Things like cell test and load, as well as end-of-line testing, will be carried out autonomously. The Archer battery packs use cylindrical cells due to their proven safety and performance record.
These battery packs will support the performance and reliability of the Midnight electric aircraft, a four-seat eVTOL designed for passenger transportation. Earlier this year, these battery packs successfully passed extreme tests conducted at a National Institute for Aviation laboratory. The tests were simulations of various impact scenarios during which the batteries, at different states of charge, had to continue to function without signs of failure.
Archer plans to initially roll out around 650 aircraft units from its facility in Georgia and gradually increase to a massive capacity of up to 2,000 units per year. As one of the few eVTOL makers worldwide to be backed by a major automotive group, the Californian Archer has great odds to succeed in this emerging industry. Stellantis became a strategic partner in 2020 and an official investor in 2021. This year, it increased its strategic shareholding in the air taxi company with a recent investment of more than $8 million.
The Midnight air taxi promises a short range of 20 miles (32 km) on a single charge and a maximum speed of 150 mph (241 kph). It also boasts an innovative cabin design that will incorporate sustainable materials such as recycled plastic bottles. With the Archer battery pack line already on a roll and the aircraft manufacturing facility due to be completed this year, the Midnight eVTOL is on track to enter commercial service next year.
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