Stellantis and Archer to expand partnership to manufacture eVTOL aircraft
The partnership will be further deepened through additional funding for years to come
Stellantis will work with Archer Aviation to support the company’s plan to start manufacturing its flagship eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, in 2024. It will be manufactured at Archer’s new facility in Covington, Georgia.
Midnight is designed to be safe, sustainable, quiet and, with its expected payload of over 1,000lbs, can carry four passengers and a pilot. It is also optimized for back-to-back short distance trips, thanks to its range of 100 miles. These journeys would be of around 20 miles, with a charging time of approximately 10min in between.
The goal of this partnership is for Stellantis to mass produce Archer’s eVTOL aircraft, as its exclusive contract manufacturer.
Additionally, showing its commitment, Stellantis will provide up to $150 million in equity capital for Archer to use at its discretion in 2023 and 2024, subject to achievement of certain business milestones.
Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, said: “Deepening our partnership with Archer as a strategic investor with plans for growing our shareholding demonstrates how Stellantis is pushing the boundaries to provide sustainable freedom of mobility, from the road to the sky.
“Supporting Archer with our manufacturing expertise is another example of how Stellantis will lead the way the world moves.”
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer, added: “Stellantis’ continued recognition of Archer’s progress toward commercialization, and today’s commitment of significant resources to build the Midnight aircraft with us, places Archer in a strong position to be first to market.”
Electric aircraft are already being used by emergency services, such as the Spanish National Police, in their operations.