frugal-one
9-17-22, 8:24am
Hailing a taxi to and from the airport soon could include a futuristic option:
An electric air taxi, or electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, eVTOL. Similar in size to helicopters, eVTOLs have rotors, but they also usually have wings, like airplanes. But they’re much quieter than both since they use large battery packs.
Airlines have taken a keen interest in these flying machines as a method of transporting passengers to and from airports, especially in congested urban areas.
United Airlines is buying 200 of them, per a deal announced this month, from Eve Air Mobility, a start-up from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. American Airlines committed to buy 50 eVTOLs in July from Vertical Aerospace.
A one-way trip to the airport will cost about $100-$150, says United.
Official takeoff awaits regulations, but expect interest to keep picking up.
An electric air taxi, or electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, eVTOL. Similar in size to helicopters, eVTOLs have rotors, but they also usually have wings, like airplanes. But they’re much quieter than both since they use large battery packs.
Airlines have taken a keen interest in these flying machines as a method of transporting passengers to and from airports, especially in congested urban areas.
United Airlines is buying 200 of them, per a deal announced this month, from Eve Air Mobility, a start-up from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. American Airlines committed to buy 50 eVTOLs in July from Vertical Aerospace.
A one-way trip to the airport will cost about $100-$150, says United.
Official takeoff awaits regulations, but expect interest to keep picking up.