Photo: United
Instead of relying on conventional combustion engines, they are designed for electric motors, enabling CO2-free use in air taxis. United Airlines recently signed a purchase agreement for 200 four-seater electric transporters, with an option for 200 more. The first delivery is planned for 2026. This is the US airline's second project of this kind.
No helicopter noise à la "Platoon" or "Apocalypse Now" will roar over urban centers when the dream of vertically taking-off air taxis begins to become reality, but rather the high-revving hum of powerful electric motors. United Airlines recently announced a $15 million investment in Eve Air Mobility at its headquarters in Chicago. This marks another significant investment by United in air taxis – or eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles) – which have the potential to make commuting easier and the job of couriers easier in the air.
“United invested very early in numerous cutting-edge technologies at various levels, thereby strengthening our position as a leader in sustainability and innovation in aviation,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures. “It is a significant milestone as we are now the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies. Our agreement with Eve underscores our confidence in the urban air mobility market and highlights our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – without traditional offsetting programs.”
Operating models in development
With a range of up to 100 km, the eVTOL not only has the potential to establish sustainable commuter traffic, but also to reduce noise pollution by 90 percent compared to conventional aircraft.
Photo: Eve Air Mobility
“We are convinced that our range of clean energy technologies will revolutionize air transport as we know it today and serve as a catalyst for the aviation industry on the way to a sustainable future,” Leskinen continued.
Part of the recent agreement also includes a plan to work together on future projects, including further research into the development and use of Eve's aircraft within the urban air mobility ecosystem.
United Airlines was the first major U.S. airline to establish a corporate venture fund, United Airlines Ventures (UAV), to support its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent by 2050 without relying on traditional carbon offsetting programs. As a result, United Airlines is now an industry leader in investments in eVTOL and electric aircraft, hydrogen fuel cell propulsion, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Just last month, United provided a $10 million down payment to a California-based eVTOL company for 100 aircraft. The airline believes it is well on its way to achieving this goal.
Air Traffic Management:
Back in July, Eve Air Mobility announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in England that it had signed a Letter of Intent with Halo Aviation, a provider of private urban air solutions, to collaborate on the development and implementation of an Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) software solution. This Letter of Intent aims to develop an operating model to be used in specific missions and regions in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Here is a good overview of existing concepts.
