Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, and Macquarie Capital have launched a collaborative initiative to establish a nationwide charging network for electric air taxis. Known as America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES), the project aims to deploy up to 250 charging sites across the United States over the next decade. By utilizing the Combined Charging Standard, the consortium intends to create an interoperable infrastructure that supports various electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. This strategic effort seeks to overcome a significant hurdle in the commercialization of electric aviation by providing a shared, scalable solution for future air mobility operations.
The consortium plans to prioritize the development of these sites in major metropolitan areas, with initial deployments slated for California, Texas, Florida, and New York. By adopting an open protocol, the network ensures that aircraft from different manufacturers can utilize the same facilities, which is expected to reduce overall deployment costs and prevent the fragmentation of aviation infrastructure. This shared model is designed to accommodate not only passenger air taxis but also cargo operators, medical transport services, and compatible airport ground support vehicles, maximizing the utility of each location.
BETA Technologies will supply the necessary charging hardware, while Macquarie Capital is tasked with managing the financing required to secure sites and develop the facilities. Archer Aviation intends to leverage this network to support its future passenger services. The initiative aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which focuses on preparing the national airspace for advanced air mobility. Industry leaders emphasize that a dependable, interoperable charging network is essential for scaling electric aviation, as it allows multiple operators to share infrastructure costs and establishes a foundation for long-term, sustainable commercial flight operations across the country.