Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions is working with energy group EDP to develop electrical charging infrastructure to support eVTOL aircraft operations. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on July 15, the companies are conducting research on topics including battery technology, charging systems, management of charging points, and payment methods.
Eve, a subsidiary of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, aims to certify a four-passenger eVTOL model by 2026. The company has recently reached sales and service agreements with two prospective eVTOL air taxi providers, Blade Air Mobility and Helisul Aviation, and is stepping up its efforts to establish what it describes as the urban air mobility ecosystem with multiple partners.
EDP is conducting its partnership with Eve through its Innovation division and also in conjunction with its Brazil-based investment unit EDP Ventures Brasil. The studies will consider how charging needs can be best integrated with new vertiports and other ground infrastructure. Since 2020, the companies have been collaborating in the development of a technology demonstrator for a possible electric fixed-wing aircraft.
Portugal-based EDP is working to fulfill a commitment to have all of its ground vehicles running on electricity by 2030 and to promote decarbonization technology. It has 1,500 electrical power stations worldwide.
“We believe that a low-carbon future necessarily involves developing electric mobility, be it by land or air,” said Andrea Salinas, director of innovation and ventures with EDP’s Brazilian subsidiary. “That’s why we’ve signed this memorandum with Eve to study possible ways of participating and contributing to this visionary future of eVTOLs. Our business is ideally suited for this urban air mobility future with our energy solutions and charging infrastructure.”
