United Airlines is once again betting on the electric flying taxi market by signing a conditional order worth $15 million for 200 Eve’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 200.
Eve’s four-seater flying taxi is expected to enter commercial service in 2026. Its targeted range will be up to 60 miles (96 kilometers), and the cruising speed will be up to 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour).
“Today, United is making history again, by becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures. “Our agreement with Eve highlights our confidence in the urban air mobility market and serves as another important benchmark toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – without using traditional offsets.”Having signed the contract with Eve, United has become the first airline in the world to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies.
In August 2022, another flying taxi company named Archer Aviation received a $10 million deposit for 100 eVTOLs.
Booming eVTOL sector
eVTOLs are set to promise a faster, safer, and greener mode of transportation, with the potential to change the future of urban mobility.
Over the last few years, the eVTOL market has experienced exponential growth. At least a dozen new eVTOL manufacturers emerged with plans to develop new electric air taxis by the middle of the 2020s.
Unsurprisingly, analysts forecast even greater growth. According to a Markets and Markets report, the global market for eVTOL aircraft will reach $30.8 billion by 2030 and will be driven by the growing need for green energy, noise-free aircraft, and the increasing demand for an alternative mode of transport.