“Not useful:” Electric air taxis an option for wealthy, but won’t save emissions or time

Air taxis and other electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are not useful mass transport technologies for the energy transition, according to a report by the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW).

The authors conclude that eVTOLs raise costs, hardly affect travel times, and cause more emissions than electric cars.

“Urban air mobility is often touted as sustainable, fast and cheap. However, our study shows that the actual benefits are very limited,” said co-author Anna Straubinger. “Therefore, they do not make a positive contribution to the energy transition in the transport sector.”

In the short to medium term, manufacturers and potential operators of eVTOLs are aiming for a price of five euros per kilometre, which is around two and a half times more expensive than using a taxi and around 15 times more expensive than a car,according to the report.

Similar to other aircraft, eVTOLs would require take-off and landing sites, leading to wait times for departures and arrivals that limit time savings. The authors say that while eVTOLs might be an option for the wealthiest in society, they are unlikely to have broader acceptance from the public who would suffer associated noise and visual consequences.

However, the report highlights some potential niche applications for the technology, like connecting remote regions or emergency operations.

Two German air taxi startups, Lilium and Volocopter, complained publicly in May this year over the lack of state support from the government, with the former hinting at a sale to foreign investors or relocation abroad.

Bavaria’s government now agreed to offer state guarantees for a 50 million euro loan to Lilium, under the condition that the federal government does the same, reports Spiegel Wirtschaft.

The federal transport ministry welcomed Bavaria’s decision and said it would take the necessary steps and examine the support with the finance ministry. “We want to keep this key technology in German hands and prevent it from migrating abroad,” the ministry said.

Clean Energy Wire. Reproduced with permission.