Toyota, Japan-based eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive is to enter the US market and establish a home base in South Carolina. The company plans to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in South Carolina while focusing on building a variety of practical use cases originating from two of its key airports, in cooperation with local and state government agencies.

SkyDrive was first invited to South Carolina in July 2022 by the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC). With the BCEDC's support, it has been exploring market opportunities within the state and building a network of key stakeholders. SkyDrive's focus has been on working with South Carolina to study practical use cases originating from several of its major airports utilising the Japanese manufacturer's eVTOL aircraft, the SD-05.

As a result of this business development activity and the overwhelming support of local and state government, SkyDrive has decided to form a business infrastructure within the state and to work with South Carolina in realising an advanced air mobility ecosystem that will bring the state to the forefront in its ability to support the commercial operations of eVTOL aircraft.

“The decision to make South Carolina our home base and our window into the US market was an easy one considering that it is a significant player in both the commercial and military aviation industries, and it is home to more than 400 aerospace and aviation companies including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. I sincerely believe that the vast number of resources available in South Carolina will provide SkyDrive with a substantial platform that enables us to achieve our goals,” says founder and CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa.

SkyDrive finds South Carolina ideal for its base of US operations as it has a mild climate throughout the year, abundant tourism and airports close to city centres, making it a good fit for the utilisation of SkyDrive's SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. South Carolina also has a proven ability to excel in advanced aerospace manufacturing, and its robust supply chain includes companies such as the affiliated company of Toray Carbon Magic, one of SkyDrive's major suppliers.

State of South Carolina Department of Commerce secretary of commerce Harry M Lightsey III says: “The future of advanced manufacturing, aerospace and vehicle industries is here, and South Carolina is proud to welcome SkyDrive, an industry innovator, to our rapidly growing aerospace cluster. SkyDrive's advanced electric propulsion technology and sustainable transportation implications are the perfect fit for South Carolina's business roster and the state's growing business development goals. South Carolina extends a warm welcome to SkyDrive, and we look forward to supporting the company on its journey to continued growth and success.”

Columbia Metropolitan airport (CAE) director of planning and facilities Frank Murray adds: “CAE is very excited about the new possibilities being created in the environmentally friendly advanced air mobility industry and its potential to make a positive impact on our local community and beyond. CAE is making a concerted effort to contribute to this development by teaming with SkyDrive to model an FAA compliant advanced air mobility ecosystem with infrastructure requirements based on use cases for flights originating from our airport. CAE is really looking forward to working with SkyDrive and pioneering new possibilities together as we share a common vision of taking the lead in this once in a century mobility revolution.”

Greenville Downtown airport director James D Stephens CM says: “Greenville Downtown airport is partnered with SkyDrive to assist with the modelling of an FAA compliant AAM ecosystem that will serve our local region and state. We've done so because the airport needs to know what the infrastructure developmental needs will be in the future. We believe that the impact of advanced air mobility in Greenville will create a new form of transportation that eventually becomes part of the normal transportation processes within our community and around the world.”

SkyDrive will continue to work with South Carolina in building a fully developed, operational ecosystem incorporating use cases originating from several of its airports and to form partnerships with local flight operators and beyond so that they can commence commercial operations in 2026. SkyDrive will also be working on the applications and procedures before launching services in the US market.