They have been making headlines in the specialist press for several years. However, it is clear that the advent of flying taxis, supposed to revolutionize urban transport, has not materialized. What if 2025 marked a turning point for the sector?
A technology that faces many obstacles
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are designed to offer sustainable and emission-free transport solutionsnotably thanks to advanced IT systems. Similar to small helicopters, these aircraft rely on a large set of rotor blades as well as several smaller tilting propellers, similar to remote-controlled drones. This gives them greater versatility in urban environments.
You have certainly heard about this technology on the sidelines of the 2024 Olympic Games, when the company Volocopter planned to transport passengers in Île-de-France. The project was, however, abandoned, reflecting the numerous obstacles faced by companies operating in this sector.
In addition to the obvious regulatory barriers, with authorities reluctant to authorize a technology that is still nascent, operators must also deal with significant limitations related to battery life. It is currently between 185 and 370 kilometers, well below the 400/800 kilometers offered by conventional helicopters. The use of eVTOLs is therefore restricted to shorter journeys.
Likewise, the operational costs associated with this technology are expected to be similar to those of traditional helicopters, raising questions about their economic viability for scaling.
Ambitious plans for 2025
Despite everything, some companies seem well on their way to reaching crucial milestones this year. This is particularly the case for Joby Aviation. The latter aims to launch its air taxi service in large urban areas from 2025, in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To achieve this, the startup collaborates with major partners such as Delta Air Lines and Uber.
Ehang, the Chinese leader in the sector, also has very promising plans for this year with the commercial operation of its EH216-S aircraft in the Hubei province from this spring. Tourist destinations outside the Middle Kingdom are also in its sights, particularly in Thailand.
Volocopter, which is experiencing significant financial difficulties, still intends to leave its mark on 2025. The German company even plans to launch its flying taxi service during the first half of 2025.
If these different players actually succeed in achieving their objectives, they will also have to prove the viability of their offer; both from a practicality and accessibility point of view.
- Flying taxis could finally take flight in 2025, after very long years of development and testing.
- Several companies specializing in the sector plan to launch their commercial services this year.
- Despite everything, they must face numerous challenges, both financial and technical.
