eVTOL Industry Moving Toward CCS as Universal Fast-Charging Standard

On March 31, 2025, Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) announced it will adopt the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) for its flagship VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This announcement places Vertical in the company of other leading eVTOL pioneers, including BETA Technologies and Archer Aviation, as part of a broader effort to establish a universal fast-charging system across the fast-growing electric aviation industry.

This adoption of the CCS fast-charging standard is a game-changer for the electric aviation sector, offering a path toward streamlined interoperability, faster charging times, and more efficient operations for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), operators, and infrastructure providers. As eVTOL technology moves closer to commercialization, ensuring that charging systems are both standardized and capable of supporting rapid turnaround times will be crucial for scaling operations.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “With certification efforts with five aviation authorities and customers across four continents, Vertical, together with BETA and Archer, choosing this standard means the industry has decided. Standardizing charging infrastructure is a crucial step in making electric aviation commercially viable. By adopting the CCS, we’re ensuring that VX4 can integrate seamlessly into a shared charging network, which is great news for our customers and reinforces our commitment to delivering a scalable eVTOL ecosystem.”

By incorporating CCS into the VX4, Vertical Aerospace is positioning itself to leverage the benefits of a fast-charging system that includes not just quick battery charging but also advanced conditioning capabilities, perfect for shuttle operations. This will allow the VX4 to achieve faster turnaround times, essential for commercial use and operational efficiency in urban air mobility (UAM) applications.

The move also means that the VX4 will be immediately compatible with CCS chargers, including those from BETA Technologies’ expanding network. The interoperability of this system is a significant milestone for the industry, reducing the barriers for eVTOL operators and infrastructure providers as they work to build a cohesive and seamless global charging infrastructure.

Chip Palombini, BETA’s Charge Production Lead, said: “The true unlock of the next generation of aviation won’t come just from novel aircraft, it’s about a robust interoperable charging infrastructure that can support all manufacturers. We are building a foundation that will allow eVTOLs to operate and scale safely, reliably, and efficiently across the globe, and Vertical Aerospace shares that vision.”

Industry-Wide Momentum for Standardization

Today’s announcement is in alignment with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) recent call for standardized charging systems. GAMA emphasized the importance of interoperability for scaling and commercializing electric aviation, an issue addressed in their recent white paper, Interoperability of Electric Charging Infrastructure. Vertical’s commitment to adopting CCS reflects the growing consensus within the industry that a unified charging system is essential for the successful deployment and widespread adoption of electric aircraft.

David Dunning, Director of Global Innovation & Policy, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), said: “A unified charging standard is important as it would assist in reducing costs, streamlining operations and accelerating adoption of electric aircraft, which benefits manufacturers, operators, infrastructure operators and passengers alike.”

As the world moves toward cleaner and quieter aviation, the rapid expansion of eVTOL technology will require collaborative efforts to ensure smooth integration across manufacturers, operators, and infrastructure providers. Vertical’s announcement is a vital step in this direction, helping to simplify and accelerate the global adoption of electric aviation.

Vertical Aerospace: A Leader in Electric Aviation

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company at the forefront of electric aviation innovation. Its flagship VX4, a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, is designed with zero operating emissions, offering a cleaner, safer, and quieter alternative to traditional air travel. By combining cutting-edge aerospace partnerships with in-house development of proprietary battery and propeller technologies, Vertical aims to deliver the world’s most advanced and safest eVTOL aircraft.

With approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4 from customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow, Vertical Aerospace is poised to revolutionize urban air mobility. The company’s leadership team brings decades of experience from top-tier companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo, having previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Vertical’s decision to adopt the CCS standard is just one of many steps the company is taking to drive forward the future of sustainable aviation. As the company continues to expand its reach and solidify partnerships with global leaders in aerospace and technology, it remains committed to its mission of making air travel safer, cleaner, and quieter for everyone.

By helping to build a universal charging infrastructure and providing interoperable solutions for operators, Vertical is helping to shape the future of aviation—one that is powered by clean, electric energy. The future of urban air mobility is becoming clearer every day, and with this latest announcement, Vertical Aerospace is at the heart of that transformation.

EVinfo.net’s Take

Autel Energy, North America’s EV charging leader, released a great article explaining two of the most prominent charging standards in the EV industry, the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS). The article explores the differences between NACS and CCS, the pros and cons, and which one is better for light duty EV drivers.

The light duty electric car and truck market in America suffered from many problems due to a lack of charging standardization, and struggles remain today. NACS has become the standard, and the use of CCS to NACS and NACS to CCS adapters has made things easier for drivers, however it would have been far better to adopt one standard much earlier.

Last year, Loren McDonald, a charging-network analyst at Paren, said: “The next few years may be ‘adapter hell’ as everyone — drivers, automakers, charging equipment providers, the federal government and states — navigate a confusing straddle between other systems and the NACS standard and connectors.”

We are hopeful the eVTOL industry moves quickly to adopt the CCS standard, to avoid the compatibility problems the the light duty electric car and truck market suffered. We are excited about the eVTOL industry, as all vehicles travelling through the air, and across water and land are quickly being electrified. EVs are the most eco-friendly form of transportation, as well as the most cost-effective.