Lilium signs deals with Star Charge and PhilJets.

In the first cooperation, Lilium teamed up with Star Charge “to develop, customize, and provide charging systems for its Lilium Jets.” In an initial step, the Bavarian company has ordered 120 chargers from the Chinese company for its own use. These are intended for the test aircraft fleet, as well as for aircraft maintenance and delivery centres. Ultimately, Lilium also intends to provide its customers who invest in Vertiports with charging stations. Lilium announced a strategic partnership with airport operator Fraport in January to develop a commercial eVTOL network in Germany and other European countries.

Lilium uses the Combined Charging System (CCS). Star Charge’s fast-charging system with liquid-cooled cables should be suitable for both the Lilium Jet and other eVTOLs. However, neither company has provided further details on the technology.

Lilium also announced a second cooperation with aviation provider PhilJets. The latter has signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase ten Lilium Jets. The two companies are also planning a strategic cooperation to establish an eVTOL operating network in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia.

Under the agreement, Lilium and PhilJets will work together to develop a future service. It will include jointly defining routes, city pairs and passenger demand for an on-demand eVTOL service in the region. The two companies also aim to identify potential locations, requirements and partners for landing infrastructure, including identifying Vertiport partners or access to Lilium’s existing network of charging equipment providers.

Only in December did Lilium announce the start of production for its Lilium Jet. The first seven units produced will be used for flight tests to obtain type certification for the Lilium Jet from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Lilium received Design Organisation Approval from the agency in November. In the USA, it received G-1 certification from the FAA in June. It is not yet clear when the first units will be delivered to PhilJets.

lilium.com (Star Charge), lilium.com (PhilJets)