JoeBen Invited to Testify Before Congress on Electric Aviation and Noise

In March 2022, JoeBen Bevirt, our founder and CEO, was invited to testify before the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the potential for new forms of propulsion, such as electric and hydrogen, to unlock new quiet, emissions-free means of air travel in cities and communities across the United States.

Here are some of the key points JoeBen made on behalf of the team at Joby:

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  “The United States leads the world in bringing aviation into the electric age of flight. In the decades to come, battery electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems will allow us to build aircraft that are cheaper to operate, quieter, and bring us much closer to zero emissions. For the sake of the planet and future generations, it is critical that the government continue to prioritize these technologies.”
  
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  “Making aviation a part of everyday life requires a revolutionary approach to acoustics and aircraft design, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Our aircraft emits 100 times less noise than a traditional helicopter. During take-off and landing it’s about the same volume as a normal conversation. In cruise, we’re virtually silent.”
  
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  “Looking ahead, we must be good citizens and neighbors in the communities we plan to serve. That means engaging early, listening to local stakeholders, and offering a service that is broadly accessible. Our objective is to offer flights at a cost equivalent to taxis or ridesharing services today.”
  
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  “Every major advancement in aviation began with a revolution in propulsion technology. And each time, our nation has been at the leading edge of adopting that opportunity, from the early Wright Brothers flights in Kitty Hawk to the Jet Age. Today, we have the opportunity to lead once more – this time, with a technology that not only opens the door to new possibilities, but is also cleaner and quieter.”

Watch JoeBen’s complete testimony here.