Author: Gabriel Araujo
GAVIIA OPEXIOTO, Brazil (Reuters) – Electric aircraft maker Eve showed off a full-scale prototype of its “flying taxi” for the first time as it aims to have it certified and operational by 2026, in a move that milestone.
On July 3, Eve, a unit of Embraer, launched an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype at an investor and customer event held at the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Gavio Peixoto factory. machine.
The company is one of a number of startups around the world developing battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically, providing travelers with short city trips and avoiding traffic jams.
Eve expects to fly a prototype late this year or early 2025, CEO Johann Bordais told Reuters at the event after starting ground testing in July.
The first substandard prototype was equipped with an electric engine but no cabin or pilot. The final aircraft will accommodate four passengers and a pilot.
“This prototype is completely remote, so we can test the aerodynamics, start flying, and then do what we call a transition flight from vertical to horizontal flight,” Bordais said.
He said having the full-scale prototype ready for testing is another step toward aircraft certification, which Eve expects to achieve in 2026.
Bordais said Eve will have five qualified prototypes ready next year as part of the certification process and be ready for trial production of eVTOLs in 2026.
“It’s a building block so we can learn and move forward,” he added. “The challenges are there. This is no small thing. We are at the limits of technology and aviation, and this moment of testing is critical.”
Electric grids around the world are not yet ready for so-called flying cars, from power supplies to ports with vertical take-off and landing.
new investment
Eve debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 2022, raising nearly $400 million to develop its eVTOL, a project originally expected to cost $540 million. The company later received a $92 million loan from Brazil’s national development bank BNDES.
Investors include United Airlines, BAE Systems (LON:), Thales, Rolls-Royce (OTC:), Acciona and Bradesco BBI.
This month, the company announced a new round of financing totaling $94 million from investors including Embraer and one of its key suppliers, Nidec.
“This gives us reassurance that we will be able to continue developing the product until 2027,” Bordais said. This will satisfy Eve’s cash needs through the certification process. “We have cash through 2025 and now we’re going into 2027.”
Eve has accumulated nearly 3,000 potential orders ahead of production, which it hopes will eventually turn into firm orders. Interested customers include United Airlines, charter company Global Crossing and aircraft leasing company Azorra.
“We don’t need to convert these (letters of intent) now, especially with new investment,” Bordais said.
