Switzerland, Zurich: Hitachi Energy and Eve Air Mobility have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance the electrical infrastructure needed for urban air mobility.
The collaboration will focus on the power systems required to support electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs. As the sector moves closer to commercial operation, vertiports will need reliable grid connections, sufficient power capacity and charging systems able to support frequent high-demand cycles.
Hitachi Energy will contribute its expertise in grid integration, power electronics and charging infrastructure, while Eve Air Mobility will bring its experience in eVTOL development and related urban air mobility services.
The companies will assess practical requirements for enabling vertiport operations, including power availability, high-power charging and integration with existing energy networks.
Hitachi Energy plans to use its Grid-eMotion charging infrastructure, which is already deployed globally and can be adapted for the specific requirements of eVTOL operations. The aim is to optimise power use and support stable performance in high-demand applications.
The agreement will also explore the potential to repurpose aircraft batteries for energy storage after their aviation use, adding a further sustainability element to the future urban air mobility ecosystem.
Eve Air Mobility is developing an eVTOL aircraft, with certification and commercial operations expected in 2028. The company has letters of intent for about 2,700 eVTOLs from customers worldwide.
For Hitachi Energy, the agreement forms part of its wider focus on electrification and grid modernisation, including investments in R&D, manufacturing capacity and strategic collaborations.
Source: Hitachi Energy
