5 eVTOLs that Might Just Steal Your Parking Spot Sooner Than You Think
Ah, the beauty of the future – the promise of trading our road-raging, bumper-to-bumper lives for the freedom of the open sky. There's a certain allure to the idea of hopping into an eVTOL and zipping over those stuck in terrestrial torment. But let’s get real, how close are we to this Jetson-esque fantasy? Grab your aviator goggles and let’s find out.
The eVTOL market is supposedly ballooning faster than a kid's party balloon, projected to hit a whopping $34.92 billion by 2030. That's a growth rate of 12.16% from our dear 2023. Leading this aerial charge are companies like Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation, Volocopter, Vertical Aerospace, and not forgetting the big bird, Airbus.
Archer Aviation’s Midnight
First off, we have Archer Aviation’s Midnight – a name that evokes less of flying cars and more of a Marvel superhero. With room for four and designed for short trips of around 20 miles (32 km for my metric friends), it’s perfect for those “can’t be late for my meeting” moments. And guess what, after each flight, it just needs a 10-minute power nap before it’s ready to hit the skies again.
United Airlines is already cozying up with Archer, planning a route from Newark Liberty International to Downtown Manhattan. Fancy a quick escape from airport chaos to city vibrancy? Well, your wish is Archer’s command, aiming to bring urban air mobility to life in 2025.
Next up is Joby Aviation’s Joby – creative naming, I must say. This Californian brainchild promises a range of 150 miles (241 km), backed by the likes of Uber and JetBlue Ventures. Certification plans are in the works, and commercial services are set to take off in 2025. But the real question is, will it have cup holders?
Zooming over to Europe, Germany’s pride, VoloCity by Volocopter, is designed to connect major transport hubs. With two seats, 18 rotors, and initial design approval, it’s on its way to making megacity travel a breeze. First operations are eyed for 2024 – just around the corner, or should I say, just above the rooftop?
The UK isn’t far behind with Vertical Aerospace’s VX4. With advanced avionics and a lightweight design, it’s like a James Bond gadget with wings. Aiming for the skies in early 2024, it’s giving the rest a run for their money, or should I say, a flight for their fuel.
Finally, Airbus enters the ring with Vahana and CityAirbus. The single-seater Vahana aims for self-piloted flights with a cruise speed of 115 mph (185 km/h). CityAirbus, the spacious cousin, offers four seats and is expected to maiden in 2024. With partnerships across the industry, Airbus is flexing its aerial muscles.
Now, with all these flying wonders in the pipeline, and financial support pouring in like rain over Seattle, the eVTOL era seems imminent. The first one to launch is anyone’s guess, but here’s hoping they remember to include a good sound system.
While the dream of flying taxis is tantalizing, let’s not toss our car keys just yet. The promise of green, efficient air transport is on the horizon, but until then, I’ll keep my terrestrial wheels, with a side of healthy skepticism and a sprinkle of optimism.
After all, as we potentially stand on the precipice of a revolution in mobility, one can’t help but wonder – will parking a flying car be as infuriating as it is on the ground? Only time, and perhaps a few fender benders in the sky, will tell.
