First electric taxi flies from JFK Airport to Manhattan

Joby Aviation's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flew from JFK Airport to Manhattan in a demonstration of the company's future air taxi route. Joby says its air taxis are quieter than helicopters, and because they’re electric, they produce zero emissions. A Joby official described the noise profile as “like leaves in the wind” — but you wouldn’t know it, thanks to a helicopter hovering overhead during the takeoff. The goal is to connect Manhattan to JFK Airport in under 10 minutes, rather than an hourlong car trip. Joby is still waiting for clearance from the FAA before it can start carrying passengers. But the company is eager to demonstrate that its technology is more than just vaporware. Notably, Joby’s first passenger service actually won’t be in the US at all. Later this year, the company plans on launching its first passenger-approved air taxis in Dubai, in collaboration with the local authorities, who have proven to be less cautious about giving their approval than their counterparts in the US. Subscribe: http://goo.gl/G5RXGs Like The Verge on Facebook: https://goo.gl/2P1aGc Follow on Twitter: https://goo.gl/XTWX61 Follow on Instagram: https://goo.gl/7ZeLv Watch The Vergecast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/40RFRkg The Vergecast Podcast: https://bit.ly/3WQDexZ Decoder with Nilay Patel: http://apple.co/3v29nDc More about our podcasts: https://www.theverge.com/podcasts Read More: http://www.theverge.com Community guidelines: http://bit.ly/2D0hlAv Wallpapers from The Verge: https://bit.ly/2xQXYJr Shop our Verge merch store here: https://bit.ly/4kPCmEc Subscribe to The Verge: https://bit.ly/3FT6n5S Subscribe to The Vergecast on YouTube, new episodes on Tuesday and Friday: https://bit.ly/3I6nJtz If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may receive a commission without exerting any influence on editorial content. For more information about our ethics policy, visit: https://bit.ly/3ZWTlLs