Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies and Macquarie Capital have formed a new consortium to develop a nationwide charging network for electric aircraft in the United States, targeting deployment at more than 250 airports and vertiports by 2030.
The partnership, known as the Aviation Charging Ecosystem Solutions (ACES) consortium, aims to accelerate the commercialization of electric aviation by building interoperable charging infrastructure capable of serving multiple aircraft manufacturers rather than proprietary fleets.
Nationwide Charging Network Planned
The proposed network will initially focus on airports and vertiports located in major metropolitan regions, including California, Texas, Florida and New York, where Archer and BETA expect to begin operating battery-electric aircraft.
BETA Technologies will provide charging hardware based on the Combined Charging Standard (CCS), an industry standard supported by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and adopted by a growing number of electric aircraft developers.
By using an open charging standard, the consortium intends to make the infrastructure compatible with aircraft from multiple manufacturers, allowing operators to share charging facilities instead of developing separate networks.
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The partners have not disclosed the charging capacity of the planned installations or a total investment value for the project.
Infrastructure Designed for Multiple Uses
Beyond supporting passenger eVTOL operations, the charging network is expected to serve a wider range of electric aviation applications.
Archer plans to use the infrastructure for its electric air taxi operations, while BETA Technologies and its customers could utilize the charging stations for cargo transport, emergency medical services and regional aviation missions.
At larger airports, CCS-compatible chargers may also be used to recharge electric ground support vehicles, improving utilization of the infrastructure across multiple transportation sectors.
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Macquarie to Support Project Financing
Macquarie Capital will provide strategic and financial advisory services for the consortium, helping secure funding for land acquisition, project development and construction activities.
The consortium also plans to invite additional airport operators, infrastructure developers, aircraft manufacturers and investors to participate as the network expands.
FAA Program Supports Electric Aviation Growth
The announcement comes as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration continues efforts to accelerate deployment of electric aircraft.
Earlier this year, the FAA selected eight projects across 26 states under its eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which is designed to evaluate passenger, cargo, emergency response and offshore operations before full commercial certification is completed.
Both Archer Aviation and BETA Technologies are participating in the federal initiative.
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The companies expect the pilot program to help accelerate commercial deployment of electric aircraft, providing early markets where the ACES charging network can be installed and utilized.
Whether the consortium achieves its target of deploying more than 250 charging locations by 2030 will depend on infrastructure investment, regulatory approvals and the pace at which electric aircraft receive certification and enter commercial service.
