Hitachi Energy , a global technology leader in electrification, and Eve Air Mobility , an Embraer-backed manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the electric infrastructure needed to support urban air mobility at scale.
As Urban Air Mobility (UAM) moves closer to commercialization, one of the key challenges is ensuring that vertiports can reliably connect to the electrical grid and are equipped to handle high-demand, high-frequency operations. This includes enabling robust and sufficient power capacity, managing rapid charging cycles, and integrating new demand into existing energy systems.
The agreement brings together complementary expertise from the energy and aerospace sectors. Eve is advancing the development of an eVTOL aircraft and a broader portfolio of UAM solutions, including aftermarket services, while Hitachi Energy contributes its expertise and innovative technologies in grid integration, power electronics, and charging infrastructure to support the scalable deployment of these systems.
Both companies will assess the requirements for enabling vertiport operations, including power availability and high-power charging for eVTOL aircraft. Hitachi Energy will leverage its Grid-eMotion® charging infrastructure, which is already deployed globally and has been adapted to the specific requirements of eVTOL operations. This solution optimizes energy use and ensures reliable power along with stable performance for the high-demand applications of eVTOLs.
The collaboration will also explore the potential of repurposing aircraft batteries for energy storage after their aviation lifecycle, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the entire ecosystem. Furthermore, the agreement establishes a roadmap for joint business modeling and coordinated engagement with customers to enable the global expansion of urban air mobility infrastructure.
Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility , stated that “building a successful urban air mobility ecosystem requires collaboration across various industries. As the sector moves towards commercial operations, it is increasingly important to understand how cargo infrastructure, grid connectivity, and the energy requirements of vertiports will integrate into existing networks. The collaboration with Hitachi Energy supports our ongoing efforts to help enable the necessary infrastructure for safe, efficient, scalable, and economically sustainable eVTOL operations worldwide.”
Meanwhile, Marco Berardi, Head of Grid & Power Quality Solutions and Service at Hitachi Energy , commented that, with over a century of innovation, they are “addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: balancing the growing demand for electricity while simultaneously decarbonizing the power system. We firmly believe that no single company or country can achieve the energy transition alone, so we are delighted to collaborate with Eve to accelerate the decarbonization of urban air mobility together.”
From the grid to the sky: Driving the future of urban air mobility
Eve Air Mobility, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EVEX and EVEXW) and Brazil's B3 (B3: EVEB31), is developing an eVTOL aircraft, with commercial operations and certification expected by 2028. Backed by Embraer's 56-year aerospace legacy, the company has letters of intent for approximately 2,700 eVTOLs from global customers, signaling strong demand for a new urban transportation model.
Hitachi Energy is making significant investments to meet the growing demands for electrification and grid modernization. This includes more than $9 billion USD to expand research and development (R&D), manufacturing capacity, engineering, and strategic collaborations.
By combining Eve's aircraft innovation with Hitachi Energy's expertise and grid connection technologies, the agreement lays the foundation for a collaborative effort to enable clean, connected, and resilient urban mobility.