The Indian Institute of Technology- Madras incubated startup ePlane has created an electric flying taxi, which is said to be faster than a helicopter in ferrying passengers. The flying taxi was showcased at the Aero India 2023 show that took place in Bengaluru
Named e200, the flying taxi will help commuters to travel 10 times faster by overcoming traffic woes. The prototype at Aero India is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)
The electric flying taxi prototype showcased at Aero India in Bengaluru can transport 50 kg payload per trip over a 200km travel range on a single charge
ePlane was founded in 2017 by Satya Chakravarthy and Pranjal Mehta in 2017. While Mehta is the CEO of ePlane, Chakravarthy is the CTO
According to ePlane's website, the flying taxi is roughly the size of an SUV and doesn't require much space to land. The two-seater vehicle is piloted by humans and provides inexpensive transportation. It weighs 200 kg and has four ducted fans that act as propellers
The e200 will be available in two variants: freight and daily intra-city commute. Before the flying taxi can be commercially deployed, its designs and prototype must be certified by the aviation regulator DGCA
The flying taxi’s maximum cruising altitude is 457 meters (1,500 ft). The battery from which the flying taxi draws power is not swappable
The ePlane company has secured around $1 million in funding to make the model. As of now, this flying taxi requires a pilot to operate
The interest for flying taxis seems to be peaking as Dubai is said to launch its flying taxi by 2026. An official reportedly said that the price for availing a flying taxi will be in the range of a limousine service in Dubai and could eventually be availed even in the range of a normal Uber