One more mode of transport could be added to urban transport soon — electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL). It is an aircraft which can lift off the ground like a helicopter and can land also easily. It can fly at speeds of 322 kms per hour with a range of 161 kms. The aircraft does not produce excessive noise.

Private companies in the US have raised billions of dollars in funding and are working hard to convert their dream of flying taxis into reality. Some of these companies are being backed by Big Tech such as Google and Boeing. Some have tied up with existing airlines.

They are working closely with regulatory authorities. They have created a new aircraft category called ‘powered lift’. Such a lift has been introduced when helicopters were introduced for civilian use in the 1940s. There are still some regulatory hurdles to be cleared.

Dubai is most likely to be the place where eVTOLs will take commercial flight, perhaps by the end of 2025.

It is going to be like a crawl, walk and run situation. They are still crawling at present.

China is also pursuing the idea of flying cars. This could motivate the US administration to make such vehicles a priority.

Such taxis can serve the passengers at airports of New York and Los Angelas. Electric taxis can fly four passengers from say New York airport, to say Manhattan in about 10 minutes or less.

In the beginning, they could charge a higher price. They would be costlier than the cab rides. The difference between air taxi and cab ride could narrow over time, as they would be able to transport a higher volume of passengers than ground vehicles stuck in city traffic.

Surely, eVTOLs are going to transform the way we move. It is better to see the world from the air than being stuck in the traffic on the roads.