What is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft?How flying cars are getting closer to reality

Alef Aeronautics hopes to start delivering its $300,000 Model A flying car to customers in 2025.

Source: Aleph Airlines

What if flying in an electric vehicle was a big part of your future mobility? Dozens of companies around the world are betting on this.

EVTOLs, or Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicles, commonly known as flying cars or air taxis, are being developed by U.S. companies in Europe and Asia.

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) market could be worth $1 trillion by 2040, according to JPMorgan Chase, and several companies are trying to take the lead.

In the latest episode of “CNBC Tech: The Edge,” we explore the eVTOL market—its prospects and challenges. Here are some of the companies in the eVTOL space and what they are trying to bring to market.

The four most common eVTOLs

eVTOL aircraft can take off and land vertically. Of course, it’s powered by electricity rather than traditional fuel.

eVTOLS: Are flying cars finally a reality?

There are currently hundreds of eVTOL designs in progress using different technologies. Here are the four most common ones.

The “multi-rotor” operates similarly to a standard drone. It has multiple propellers to help it fly. They are very efficient when taking off, landing, and hovering, but because they have no wings, they are extremely inefficient when flying long distances. They can be useful in urban areas.

The “Lift and Cruise” concept combines common aircraft technologies such as multi-rotor aircraft with wings to make longer distances possible. But in order for the two technologies to work together, the propeller needs fewer, shorter blades, which makes the propeller very noisy.

Then there’s the “tilt-rotor” – a design with one or more rotors mounted on the wings that can tilt up and down.

Finally, there is the “ducted vector thrust” model, which does not have a propeller. They use multiple individually controlled electric duct fans to propel the vehicle upward. This model is quieter and can fly longer distances efficiently, but is very power-hungry.

So, aren’t these just glorified helicopters? Not completely. From the technology used for takeoff and landing to electric VTOL aircraft, electric VTOL aircraft are trying to differentiate themselves from helicopters. Not to mention helicopters are also pretty expensive. Many electric VTOL companies are talking about a world where these vehicles become an affordable part of daily travel within or between cities.

How are eVTOLs regulated?

Aviation regulators around the world are responsible for setting rules regarding eVTOLs. In Europe, this is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. In the United States, it’s the Federal Aviation Administration. In China, that is the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

All of these regulatory agencies have established various rules and certifications that electric VTOL aircraft manufacturers and operators need to adhere to and meet before they can put these aircraft into commercial service.

These certifications revolve around areas such as aircraft safety and pilot licenses.

How will eVTOL work in real life?

While eVTOLs are currently being tested at dedicated sites, many aircraft manufacturers are talking about their future commercial use.

Some are discussing the possibility of electric VTOL aircraft operating within cities as a mode of urban transportation. Others are looking into how these electric planes could be used to travel between cities, perhaps accompanying or replacing other modes of travel like cars and trains.

But the infrastructure needs to be built to support this. A key piece of infrastructure will be so-called “vertical airports,” which are helipads combined with smaller airports where these aircraft will take off and land.

While some wealthy individuals may own their own electric aircraft, they are more likely to be operated in fleets by operators, as is the case with airlines.

Challenges facing eVTOL adoption

There are some challenges associated with adopting eVTOL. Complying with regulations and keeping them safe is one of the most important things.

Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, is public acceptance and adoption.

Adoption may be hindered if people think they are unsafe and expensive to use.

lily

lily Based outside Munich, Germany, it is one of the European electric vertical takeoff and landing companies hoping to take off in the next few years.

German company Lilium seeks to revolutionize air travel

The company is currently conducting test flights of its jet in southern Spain. The aircraft uses ducted vector thrust technology and the company hopes its aircraft will be used on long-distance regional flights rather than city routes. Lilium aims to have its jets in service in 2026.

Lilium’s jets feature customizable interiors, meaning the design and number of seats can be changed according to the customer’s requirements.

The company has started taking orders from the high-end market. A jet will cost $9 million. A version designed for fleet operations will cost $7 million.

Lilium has numerous investors, including Chinese internet giants Tencent.

Aleph Airlines

Alef Aeronautics has a different vision for an eVTOL—a vehicle that can drive on the road and fly in the air.

Inside Alef Aeronautics, the company is trying to build a car that can both drive and fly

The car’s chassis is hollow, hiding multiple propellers. A video demonstrating how the car works shows the car taking off vertically and being able to fly sideways.

Alef Aeronautics is ambitious and hopes to start production in 2025.

“If everything goes well, if we have enough funding, if the legislation doesn’t get worse… we plan to start production of the first aircraft by the end of 2025,” said Jim Dukhovny, co-founder and CEO of Alef Aeronautics. Said in an interview with “CNBC Tech: The Edge”.

The company’s most famous backer is venture capitalist Tim Draper, an early investor in Tesla, SpaceX and Theranos.

Customers can now put down a $150 deposit to reserve the car, called the Model A, which will cost $300,000.