Airbus to test e-powered short range VTOL taxi service in Japan
Airbus is partnering with Japanese helicopter operator Hiratagakuen to develop the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype. The e-powered helicopter that the European aircraft manufacturer is building is planned to provide advanced air mobility services in the Kansai region of Japan.
Image by Airbus
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could be very suitable to become the future flying taxis capable of point-to-point urban travel in densely populated areas. The future of CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL is not too distant.
Jalopnik reports that Airbus and Airbus and Hiratagakuen are planning to test the communications and navigation technologies required for eVTOL operations before the end of 2022. The eVTOL’s will have a range of approximately 50 miles. The development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has piqued the interest of several major airlines.
