eVTOLs in Travel: Viable Addition or Flights of Fancy?

Summary

Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft – “eVTOLs” – offer the promise of next-generation air transportation with significantly less carbon emissions than their ancestor, the helicopter, or other modes of transportation like short-haul planes, and possibly even shuttle buses or taxis. Some eVTOL brands even aim for fully autonomous operation. Nonetheless, achieving the eVTOL vision comes with some very large hurdles.

Part of a content series that explores some of the most significant technology-driven trends that will influence travel distribution in 2023 and beyond, this article analyzes the vision, current status and challenges eVTOLs face specifically around travel, tourism, and human transport, including:

• Explanation of eVTOL development to date
• Capital – investments and projections for future growth
• Highlight on sustainability, and impact on local travel markets
• Partnerships with airlines, and possible benefits
• Obstacles, including difficulties around regulations and adoption