The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft market has been experiencing significant growth in recent years. This growth is primarily fuelled by the rising demand for efficient and sustainable transportation solutions in urban areas.
eVTOL aircraft, also known as flying cars or air taxis, are electric-powered vehicles capable of taking off and landing vertically. The growing demand for eVTOL aircraft has led to fierce competition among companies aiming to bring their designs into production.
United Airlines and Eve Mobility plan to introduce eVTOL aircraft flights in the San Francisco Bay Area, making them the first airline to offer eVTOL commuter flights.
Eve Mobility’s eVTOL, which is 100% electric and has a range of 60 miles (100 km), can carry up to four passengers plus one pilot. It features specialized rotors for vertical flight and fixed wings for cruising, eliminating the need for moving parts during flight.
Although initially piloted, Eve plans for autonomous operations in the future.
The introduction of eVTOL flights is expected to have positive economic impacts and create new job opportunities in the Bay Area while providing an efficient mode of transportation.
In September of last year, United Airlines announced a $15 million investment in Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer. The investment included a conditional purchase agreement for up to 400 electric taxis, starting in 2026.
