Passenger eVTOL Aircraft

Clean, congestion-free air travel gets liftoff

Overview

Humans have dreamed of flying cars for decades, with Henry Ford famously saying, "Mark my word: a combination airplane and motorcar is coming," back in 1940. Now, the advent of eVTOL technology is transforming that dream into reality. The continuous advancements in battery technology are enabling the emergence of a new urban air mobility system that is clean, quiet, and has the potential to revolutionize transportation in urban and suburban areas. In addition, the rapid increase in urban population, growing need for sustainable travel options, and desire for safer air travel are creating a conducive environment for eVTOL aircraft to thrive.

Compared to traditional ground-based infrastructure such as roads and railways, aerial ridesharing networks can be established rapidly and at significantly lower costs. This provides a sustainable solution to the urgent challenges of urban congestion and climate change. While the industry is currently not commercialized, stakeholders are actively striving to achieve an affordable price point comparable to UberX, making it more accessible to a broader audience in the future.

Industry Updates

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Market Sizing

The US Passenger eVTOL addressable market could range between USD 50.2 billion and USD 106.4 billion

Conservative case

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Base case

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Market Mapping


Fully electric aircraft are the most established and prominent

Fully electric eVTOLs have emerged as the most established and prominent type of eVTOL aircraft currently. These fully electric models leverage advanced battery technology to power their electric motors, offering zero-emission flights and reduced noise levels. However, to address the limitations of battery capacity and extend the range of eVTOL flights, manufacturers are actively expanding their development efforts into hybrid electric and hydrogen electric eVTOLs. 

Hybrid electric eVTOLs incorporate a combination of electric motors and internal combustion engines or gas turbines, providing a more extended flight range while still reducing emissions compared to traditional aircraft. On the other hand, hydrogen electric eVTOLs use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, offering the advantage of quick refueling times and longer flight durations. By exploring these alternative propulsion systems, manufacturers can open up possibilities for longer-distance journeys and wider applications in the future.

The Disruptors


Well-funded startups such as Joby Aviation have attracted investments from leading automobile manufacturers.

The attention surrounding eVTOLs gained significant momentum after Uber Technologies' announcement of its "Uber Elevate" flying car concept in 2016, which specifically targeted urban air-taxi services. In late 2020, Joby Aviation, a leading eVTOL developer, acquired Uber Elevate. Joby Aviation currently holds the highest funding within our coverage, with a substantial investment from Toyota.

Since 2021, the pursuit of practical applications for eVTOL services has accelerated, leading to a surge in development within the market. 2021 proved to be remarkable for the eVTOL industry, with notable disruptors such as Joby Aviation, Lilium, Archer Aviation, and Vertical Aerospace going public through mergers with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). These significant developments highlight the expanding potential of the eVTOL sector and the growing interest from investors and the public alike.

Funding History

Competitive Analysis


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Incumbents


Automobile and aerospace majors moving toward passenger eVTOLs

Automobile and aerospace majors are increasingly directing their focus toward the development and implementation of passenger eVTOL aircraft. This shift can be attributed to the growing interest in urban air mobility and the pursuit of more sustainable transportation solutions. 

Renowned automotive companies such as Hyundai, General Motors, and Toyota are investing in eVTOL startups and introducing their own concept vehicles, demonstrating their strong commitment to this emerging market. At the same time, aerospace giants like Airbus and Boeing are leveraging their expertise in aircraft design, manufacturing, and safety to spearhead eVTOL initiatives. These collaborations between the automobile and aerospace industries harness their respective strengths and resources, resulting in an accelerated advancement of eVTOL technology. By combining forces, these major players are actively shaping the future of transportation, revolutionizing the perception of time and distance. This will pave the way for efficient, environmentally friendly, and congestion-relieving mobility options for urban dwellers.

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Notable Investors


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Overview

Clean and quiet solution to urban traffic congestion

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is a type of aircraft that employs electric power for vertical takeoff and landing, eliminating the need for a traditional runway. Additionally, it can hover similar to a conventional helicopter. eVTOLs play a crucial role in supporting the concept of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), which entails the implementation of a safe and efficient aviation transportation system. This system employs automated aircraft to transport passengers or cargo at lower altitudes within urban and suburban areas. In addition to eVTOLs, UAM encompasses conventional VTOL aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones (refer our Last-mile Delivery Automation and Commercial Drone Tech industry hubs for detailed information about drones). 

UAM encompasses eVTOLs, VTOLs, and UAVs

UAM encompasses eVTOLs, VTOLs, and UAVs
UAM encompasses eVTOLs, VTOLs, and UAVs
The diagram is not to scale • Electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft are electric versions of traditional combustion-powered aircraft
Source: Compiled by SPEEDA Edge based on various sources including Cleantech Group
The primary driving force behind the concept of UAM is the challenges faced in ground-based urban transportation, which are exacerbated by ongoing population growth and urbanization. Notably, the 2020 US census data revealed that despite urban areas comprising only 3% of the total land area, a significant 80% of the US population resides in urban regions. While the global city population share doubled from 25% in 1950 to ~50% in 2020, the UN projected it to further increase to 58% over the next 50 years. Rapid population growth in cities has resulted in increased congestion, with the average American commuter spending over 250 hours per year in transit, equivalent to more than 10 full days. This figure notably rises for individuals commuting in heavily congested areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York City. The development of UAM, especially eVTOLs, will open the path for commuters to fly above traffic and reach their destinations quickly, reliably, and affordably.
The eVTOL market has witnessed significant development, especially since 2009 when NASA engineer Mark Moore introduced the modern eVTOL concept through his personal air vehicle. In fact, 2021 proved to be a remarkable year for the eVTOL market, attracting significant funding (USD 3.3 billion), surpassing the total funding received over the period of 2016 to 2020. Additionally, prominent developers such as Joby Aviation, Lilium, Archer Aviation, and Vertical Aerospace went public through mergers with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Industry funding had maintained a strong momentum, growing at a CAGR of 93.7% between 2019 and 2023.
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