Hundreds of flying taxis will be built in Ohio, governor announces

The company could be getting closer to the flying commuter vehicles made famous by the animated series “The Jetsons,” as Ohio just announced that hundreds of flying taxis would be built at a state facility.

Joby Aviation Inc. has been selected to build an electric air taxi manufacturing site at Dayton International Airport, according to Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, director of the Ohio Department of Development Lydia Mihalik, president of JobsOhio. & CEO JP Nauseef announced on Monday.

“Ohio’s legacy of aviation leadership begins with the Wright Brothers and now continues with Joby Aviation, as they launch a new era in advanced aviation manufacturing and air mobility in Dayton,” DeWine said in a press release.

Officials said the site’s facilities “will build, test and fly fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis that will be primarily used for commercial passenger operations.”

The electric air taxi will be intended to carry a pilot and four passengers and reach speeds of up to 200 mph over a range of 100 miles, officials said.

Joby plans to invest at least $477.5 million and manufacture up to 500 vehicles per year, according to officials. Manufacturing is expected to open in 2025, with construction expected to begin next year.

“Ohio has a long and rich history in aviation, and we are proud to bring the next chapter of that story to life where it all began.” As one of the nation’s leading states for aerospace manufacturing and innovation, Ohio will play an important role in the future of our industry, and we look forward to growing our team here,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.

Officials said the project would create 2,000 jobs in the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration granted Joby Aviation a special certificate of airworthiness in June, allowing the company to begin flight testing of the prototype of its eVTOL aircraft.

Last year, Delta Air Lines announced a partnership with Joby for a “first-of-its-kind agreement” to provide customers in New York and Los Angeles with “home-to-airport transportation service” using an eVTOL aircraft.

Toyota worked with Joby to design and launch the company’s pilot production line in California. The company will advise Joby as it begins manufacturing the air tax in Ohio, Joby said.