Joby Aviation Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) is closing in on its dream of launching electric air taxis. The California-based company has spent years building its all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, designed for fast, quiet, and convenient city travel.

Air Taxis: The Future of Fast, Clean, and Congestion-Free Urban Travel

Air taxis are small electric or hybrid aircraft that take off and land vertically, ideal for short city hops, airport transfers, and reaching remote areas. Target users include executives, business travelers, and emergency services. Countries like the U.S., Germany, and the UAE are investing heavily in supporting infrastructure.

A report highlighted that the global air taxi market, valued at USD 1.32 billion in 2024, is projected to hit USD 7.74 billion by 2033 at a 21.72% CAGR, driven by eVTOL technology, urban mobility demand, and congestion-free travel needs.

Growth is fueled by advances in batteries, lightweight materials, and electric propulsion, making aircraft cleaner and more efficient, plus worsening city traffic that air taxis can bypass—cutting multi-hour trips to just 15–20 minutes.

This August, Joby made a series of bold moves that pushed it closer to commercial operations, from a high-profile acquisition and defense partnership to major FAA progress and manufacturing growth. Investors noticed, sending the stock near record highs.

Blade Deal Unlocks Instant Market Access and Growth

One of the month’s biggest headlines came on August 4, when Joby announced plans to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business for up to $125 million in cash or stock.

The deal is a game-changer. Blade brings premium infrastructure, including dedicated terminals at major New York airports and a strong presence in Southern Europe. More importantly, it comes with a loyal customer base — more than 50,000 passengers flew Blade in 2024.

By absorbing Blade’s passenger operations, Joby gains instant market access without the time and expense of building from scratch. The acquisition is expected to slash infrastructure costs, speed up customer acquisition, and put Joby ahead of competitors in key urban corridors.

The transaction is set to close in the coming weeks, pending customary approvals. Once complete, Blade’s passenger services will continue under Joby’s ownership, setting the stage for a smooth integration.

• READ MORE: Boosting Aviation Carbon Credits: ICAO Greenlights Verra’s VCS Program for CORSIA Carbon Market

Defense Partnership Opens a New Revenue Stream

Joby revealed another major move, a collaboration with defense contractor L3Harris.

The partnership will develop a gas turbine hybrid variant of Joby’s existing eVTOL aircraft for low-altitude defense missions. The design aims to combine Joby’s manufacturing expertise with L3Harris’ deep defense technology capabilities.

Flight testing is set to begin this fall, with operational demonstrations planned during government exercises in 2026.

This venture signals Joby’s ambition to be more than just a commercial passenger service. By stepping into the defense sector, Joby diversifies its revenue streams and showcases its aircraft’s versatility for both civilian and military use.

FAA Certification Moves Into Final Stages

On August 6, Joby shared a crucial regulatory update. It has started final assembly of its first FAA-approved electric air taxi, a major step toward Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing. This stage needs FAA-approved test plans, a certified design, and proven manufacturing — all of which Joby has achieved, with over 50% of its test plans already accepted.

• Joby’s balance sheet is strong, ending Q2 2025 with $991 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities.

The company also closed the first $250 million tranche of a $500 million strategic investment from Toyota, one of Joby’s largest and most influential partners.

For 2025, Joby expects to use between $500 million and $540 million in cash, excluding the Blade acquisition. Revenue remains small, just $59,600 expected for Q2, but growth projections are huge, with a forecasted 900% year-on-year increase from a low base.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, said,

“This is a pivotal moment. Regulatory progress around the world is unlocking market access, our commercialization strategy is taking hold, and we’re now focused on scaling production to meet real demand—a challenge we’re fully committed to and working hard to deliver on.” 

JOBY Stock Surge Reflects Growing Investor Confidence

Joby’s recent string of announcements sent its stock soaring. In the past month alone, shares have jumped more than 70% due to heavy trading. Year-to-date, the stock has risen 142%, surpassing its market capitalization of $14 billion.

However, volatility remains. Analyst price target changes and insider sales have caused swings, but the long-term outlook hinges more on regulatory milestones than short-term earnings.

Manufacturing Expansion Doubles Output

To meet growing demand, Joby expanded its Marina, California, manufacturing facility to 435,000 square feet. This upgrade will double production capacity to 24 aircraft per year.

Meanwhile, its newly renovated Dayton, Ohio, site is ramping up to produce and test key aircraft components. Over time, Dayton could scale to build up to 500 aircraft annually, making it a cornerstone of Joby’s manufacturing strategy.

International Partnerships Boost Global Reach

Joby is not just looking at U.S. cities. The company also announced an expanded partnership with ANA Holdings in Japan.

The two companies plan to deploy over 100 Joby air taxis starting in Tokyo, creating an urban air mobility ecosystem complete with dedicated vertiports and operational support. The partnership will leverage Toyota’s network and government cooperation to fast-track development.

Joby also signed new agreements with Abdul Latif Jameel and ANA to explore deploying approximately 300 aircraft in other markets.

What’s Next for Joby Aviation?

With the Blade acquisition, defense partnership, FAA certification progress, and global expansion, Joby is executing on multiple fronts at once.

The next 12 months will be critical. If Joby completes certification on schedule, ramps production, and integrates Blade’s passenger network, it could be one of the first eVTOL companies to operate at scale.

For now, investors are betting big that Joby’s head start, strategic partnerships, and strong balance sheet will translate into a dominant position in the fast-emerging air taxi market.

Joby Aviation isn’t just inching toward launch; it’s accelerating. From New York to Dubai to Tokyo, the pieces are falling into place for a global eVTOL network. If all goes according to plan, 2026 could be the year flying taxis move from concept to reality.

• READ MORE: Archer Aviation Stock (ACHR) Soars: Leading the U.S. eVTOL Market with Zero-Emission Air Taxis in NYC, LA, and Beyond

The post JOBY Aviation Stock Soars on Blade Acquisition and Electric Air Taxi Commercial Launch Plans appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Reaching net zero isn’t just a visionary pledge anymore; it’s a business imperative. From investor expectations and ESG benchmarks to customer scrutiny and upcoming regulation, the pressure on companies to decarbonise is accelerating. But while reducing internal emissions is essential, there’s growing recognition that carbon offsetting strategies are a vital part of the solution, not a shortcut.

Standard Chartered has signed a five-year deal to sell up to five million carbon credits on behalf of the Brazilian state of Acre. The major bank and the state are working together to fund rainforest conservation using the carbon credit market.

Credits will be created within a REDD+ framework. This global system aims to cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Carbon credits will start being issued in 2026. They will be in the “avoided deforestation” category. This means they help prevent emissions by preserving current forests instead of creating new ones. The goal is to prevent deforestation and protect biodiversity and community livelihoods. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The deal could raise as much as $150 million in funding. Acre officials say that 72% of the proceeds will go to local and Indigenous communities. This will help them protect and conserve forests. The rest of the funds will support project management and monitoring systems. This will help ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Why Rainforest Protection Matters in Global Climate Goals

Forests—especially tropical rainforests like the Amazon—are among the most important carbon sinks on the planet. When they’re cut down or degraded, the carbon stored in trees and soil is released into the atmosphere.

The Amazon rainforest absorbs billions of tons of carbon dioxide each year. A NASA-led study found that, in a typical year, the Amazon rainforest absorbs about 2.2 billion metric tons (2 billion tons) of CO2. This is crucial for stabilizing the Earth’s climate.

Experts say that about 20% of global land-use emissions come from deforestation and forest degradation. This makes protecting rainforests one of the quickest and cheapest climate actions today.

Deals like Standard Chartered’s with Acre help banks and businesses support conservation. They can also meet their corporate net-zero goals.

The agreement combines solid financial support with environmental care. It shows how carbon credits can work with climate science and help communities grow.

Standard Chartered’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Marisa Drew, remarked: 

“We’re leveraging our global network and carbon market expertise to address this challenge directly, offering a means to help preserve standing forests that act as vital carbon sinks, and in turn help the communities that depend on them continue to realise the economic and social returns they provide.”

High Integrity or Bust: Building Trust in Carbon Offsets

One of the biggest challenges in carbon markets today is credibility. Over the past few years, concerns have emerged about the quality and transparency of carbon offset projects. Some faced criticism for exaggerating emissions cuts. Others did not provide real environmental or social benefits.

To help address this, the Acre–Standard Chartered deal includes safeguards. First, there will be no forward selling of credits—this means credits will only be sold once they are officially issued and verified.

This reduces the risk of overpromising and underdelivering. The transaction also supports adherence to the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) developed by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). These principles define standards for top-quality carbon credits and include key factors like:

• permanence,
• additionality,
• leakage, and
• solid monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.

The Acre project aims to create a real, measurable impact. Buyers and climate watchdogs want this more than ever.

Beyond the Trees: Inside the Bank’s Broader Climate Finance Strategy

This deal with Acre is part of a bigger move by Standard Chartered to increase its activity in sustainable finance and carbon markets. The bank has supported early-stage carbon removal firms like UNDO. UNDO uses enhanced weathering of rocks to take carbon out of the air.

The financing deal, supported by British Airways, had a unique structure. It included insurance and long-term offtake agreements.

Standard Chartered also partners with Puro.earth, a top carbon removal registry. This gives clients access to high-quality Carbon Dioxide Removal Certificates (CORCs). These types of credits are increasingly in demand from companies that want to go beyond carbon neutrality and achieve net-negative emissions.

The bank plans to achieve net-zero operations by 2025. It will use high-integrity carbon credits to offset emissions from energy use, air travel, and data centers. It also has a 2050 net-zero target for its financed emissions—those generated by the activities of companies it lends to or invests in.

• SEE MORE: Standard Chartered Hits Almost $1B in Sustainable Finance, Advances Net Zero Roadmap

The Carbon Market Is Growing Up – Fast

Standard Chartered’s deal also reflects broader trends in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). According to recent reports, the VCM was valued at around $2 billion in 2024, and could grow significantly in the coming years. 

McKinsey & Company projects the VCM could reach over $50 billion by 2030 under favorable policy and corporate demand conditions. With strong market reform, the value could exceed $250 billion by 2050, driven by net-zero goals and increasing regulation.

One of the most important shifts is the rise of jurisdictional REDD+ credits—like those offered by Acre. Jurisdictional credits differ from small-scale projects because they cover whole regions or states.

This approach offers wider environmental protection. It also lowers the risk of “leakage.” This is when conservation in one area leads to deforestation moving elsewhere.

Jurisdictional programs are also more attractive to institutional investors and sovereign funds. Large buyers usually want scalability, accountability, and local community benefits. Traditional project-level carbon offsets often fail to meet these needs.

The carbon market is expanding beyond forest protection. It now includes carbon removal technologies like direct air capture, biochar, and mineralization. These solutions are still new, but they are vital for reaching global net-zero goals. This is especially true in tough sectors to decarbonize, like cement, aviation, and steel.

A New Standard for Carbon Finance and COP30

The Standard Chartered–Acre partnership stands out not just for its scale, but for its approach. It focuses on real climate outcomes, community benefits, and market integrity. In doing so, it may serve as a model for future deals between financial institutions, governments, and Indigenous groups.

This is especially important ahead of COP30, the global climate summit set to be hosted in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. As the world focuses on Amazon conservation and climate justice, projects like Acre’s are set to shine. They show how nature-based solutions can achieve financial, environmental, and social goals.

By treating forests not just as carbon stores but as living ecosystems supported by local people, this deal shows that climate action and development do not have to be at odds—they can move forward together.

• READ MORE: Microsoft’s Bet on Forests: How A 3M Carbon Credit Deal Shapes Its Climate Strategy

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