Lilium cooperates with ABB

The Munich-based start-up Lilium wants to establish a regional electric flight network in Germany, Florida and Brazil from 2024. Swiss company ABB is to provide the fast-charging infrastructure.

"We are delighted to be working with ABB, who have decades of experience in electrification and software. Together we want to set the industry standard for electric aircraft charging," said Daniel Wiegand, CEO and co-founder of Lilium.

Lilium's electric jets are expected to be mass produced from 2024. They are expected to have room for up to seven people, fly at up to 280 km/h and have a range of up to 250 kilometers. Each aircraft is expected to complete 20 to 25 flights per day - the batteries will then be recharged at fast charging points provided by Swiss industrial group ABB.

The charging stations work with direct current and provide an output of up to 1000 kW. Charging the aircraft is said to take only 30 minutes, after 15 minutes the battery is already 80 percent charged. The technology can also be applied in other areas. "By supporting the new MegaWatt charging standard, ABB E-Mobility is paving the way for the electrification of all modes of transport, from cars and trucks to ships, mining vehicles and now aviation," says Frank Muehlon, president of ABB's E-Mobility division.