UPS Flight Forward Takes Innovation & Sustainability Onward & Upward

April 11, 2021 by admin 39 Comments

Charging Station Images courtesy of UPS, via Beta Technologies Note: Images are artist renderings and don’t show the actual aircraft in use.

RAPID CHARGING SYSTEM

BETA’s Rapid Charging System has been designed to further the electrification of transportation and supports charging of multi-modal electric vehicles including cars, trucks, and electric aircraft. The system can be deployed as a standalone installation for on airport operations or integrated into a Charge Pad for off-airport operations. The system is capable of integrating with onsite solar power and energy storage.

AC Voltage Connection

480 Vac, 3 Phase, 60 Hz

AC Grid Current

450 Amps

Continuous Power

350 kVA

Battery Charge Range

Up to 950 Vdc

Continuous Charge Current

350 Amps

Boost Charge Current

500 Amps

Payment Methods

Credit Card, Phone App, RFID Tag

Charging Protocol

CCS and CHAdeMO

Demand Response Interface

ADR 2.0

MULTI-FEATURED CHARGING PAD

With thoughtful consideration to the needs of pilots and crews, multi-featured charging systems include workshop and maintenance space, lounge area and short-term lodging.

Components used

Battery energy storage
Generator
Elevated landing deck
Pilot Lounge
Sleeping Accommodations
Maintenance & repair workshop

Images courtesy of UPS, via Beta Technologies Note: Images are artist renderings and don’t show the actual aircraft in use.

“This is all about innovation with a focus on returns for our business, our customers and the environment,” said Juan Perez, UPS chief information and engineering officer. “These new aircraft will create operational efficiencies in our business, open possibilities for new services and serve as a foundation for future solutions to reduce the emissions profile of our air and ground operation.”

With the capability to take off and land directly on UPS property, eVTOL aircraft are perfect for moving smaller loads that would otherwise fly to and from airports on small feeder aircraft or take even longer by ground.

UPS Flight Forward is scheduled to take delivery of its first ten BETA eVTOL aircraft beginning in 2024, with the option to purchase up to 150. The vehicle has a 1,400-pound cargo capacity, a range of 250 miles and zero operating emissions.

UPS has reserved BETA’s recharging station for safe and rapid charging of the aircraft in under one hour to facilitate faster cargo loading and unloading. The charging station also offers the aircraft’s batteries a second life. After the batteries’ first lifecycle in the aircraft is over, they can be fitted to the charging station to recharge the aircraft’s onboard batteries as well as UPS’s fleet of electric ground vehicles.

UPS has more than 12,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles deployed worldwide, and is committed to purchase up to 10,000 electric vehicles from Arrival.

Check out these photos of the aircraft in action.

Images courtesy of UPS, via Beta Technologies Note: Images are artist renderings and don’t show the actual aircraft in use.