Most of the recent buzz surrounding electric vehicles has focused on cars, trucks and other land-based products. But, there’s also a revolution occurring in the air with a new class of all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. They’re the focus of urban air mobility efforts—a cross between flying cars and personal helicopters.
Companies around the world are scrambling to develop two- and four-seat battery-powered aircraft that are quiet and safe to operate in cities. Some of the leading contenders are U.S. companies such as Archer Aviation Inc. and Joby Aero Inc., which both plan to be operating fleets of eVTOLs in Miami by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, German startups Lilium and Volocopter are hot on their heels.