Electric aircraft maker Eve has showcased for the first time the full-scale prototype of its "flying taxi," achieving a milestone as the company aims to obtain certification and enter service in 2026. - REUTERS
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00:00Electric aircraft maker EVE has showcased its first full-scale flying taxi prototype
00:06as the company aims to obtain certification to enter service in 2026.
00:11The prototype of its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft was rolled out at an
00:16event with investors and clients at the Brazilian planemakers plant in early July.
00:22EVE CEO Johan Bordes told Reuters the prototype is expected to fly by the end of this year
00:28or the start of 2025.
00:30Bordes said this version is completely remote so the company can test aerodynamics and the
00:36transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
00:39The final vehicle will seat four passengers and a pilot and is expected to ferry travelers
00:45on short city trips to beat traffic.
00:48It's one of a bevy of startups worldwide developing battery-powered aircraft for the purpose.
00:54EVE applied for certification to Brazil's civil aviation regulator in 2022 and debuted
01:00on the New York Stock Exchange the same year, raising nearly $400 million.
01:05It also secured a $92 million loan from a Brazilian state development bank and recently
01:10announced a fresh round of fundraising totaling $94 million.
01:16Bordes said the company is currently financed to develop the product until 2027 but says
01:23some challenges still exist.
01:25Power grids in cities around the world are not ready for so-called flying cars, from
01:30the electricity supply to ports for vertical takeoff and landing.
01:36EVE has amassed nearly 3,000 potential orders ahead of production, which it hopes to eventually
01:41convert into firm orders.
01:43Interested clients include U.S. carrier United, charter firm Global Crossing, and aircraft
01:49lessor Azora.