Electric Air Taxi Prototype by The ePlane Company in 2025

By By Rediff Money Desk, NEWDELHI
Apr 28, 2024 14:17
Chennai-based startup The ePlane Company aims to develop an electric air taxi prototype by March 2025 to alleviate urban congestion in India. The company is also developing drones with a payload of 2-6 kilograms, expected to be commercialized soon.
Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Chennai-based startup The ePlane Company expects to develop a certifiable prototype of a flying electric taxi by March next year as it works on ways to alleviate urban congestion.

Incubated out of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, the company also aims to initially commercialise its drones that can carry a payload of 2-6 kilograms in the coming months, according to a senior executive.

The ePlane Company's Founder and CEO Satya Chakravarthy said it is developing an eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft and to begin with, it will be a three or four-seater plane which can be converted into an air ambulance.

"By March next year is when we expect to develop the first certifiable prototype. It will take another couple of years to get the certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)," Chakravarthy told PTI.

As per the startup's website, an ePlane will take only 14 minutes to reach a place that will take 60 minutes by a personal vehicle. The company's vision is to alleviate congestion in urban spaces with eVTOLs.

Besides, The ePlane company is developing drones, which are expected to be commercialsed in the coming months.

Initially, it plans to come out with a basic category and then an enhanced category of drones.

Chakravarthy said that both sets of drones -- 2-6 kg payload and up to 50 kg payload -- will be able to fly up 40-60 kilometres.

Meanwhile, InterGlobe Enterprises and US-based Archer Aviation plan to launch an all-electric air taxi service in India in 2026, that will carry passengers from Connaught Place in the national capital to Gurugram in Haryana in just 7 minutes.

InterGlobe Enterprises is the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo.

Archer Aviation will supply 200 eVTOL aircraft that can carry four passengers besides a pilot.

The European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) has prepared rules for eVTOL aircraft.

"These electric air taxis offer faster intra-city travel without extensive ground infrastructure, potentially reducing congestion, noise, and emissions.

"Challenges such as safety concerns, regulatory difficulties and integration with existing transport systems need further addressing and exploration. Despite these challenges, eVTOLs could become a regular sight in urban skies within the next 5 to 10 years, contingent upon resolving safety issues and regulatory complexities," according to the EASA website.
Read More On:
electric air taxievtolthe eplane companyindiaurban congestiondronesdgcaaviationtechnologystartup
DISCLAIMER - This article is from a syndicated feed. The original source is responsible for accuracy, views & content ownership. Views expressed may not reflect those of rediff.com India Limited.

You May Like To Read

MORE NEWS

Amitabh Bachchan Sells Mumbai Duplex for Rs 83...

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan sold his duplex apartment in Mumbai's Oshiwara for Rs...

India to Protect Diamond Industry SMEs,...

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal assures protection for small and medium...

Lodha Brothers Battle: Abhishek Sues Over Brand...

Abhishek Lodha of Macrotech Developers has filed a lawsuit against his brother...

Paytm Aims for Profitability by June, Focuses...

Paytm targets overseas expansion with a focus on merchant services, aiming for...

India Increases Agarwood Export Limit - New...

India raises annual export limit for agarwood chips, powder, and oil from artificial...

Murthy on Long Work Hours: 'Introspect', Not...

Infosys co-founder NRN Narayana Murthy says no one can demand long work hours, urging...

Roquette Seeks CCI Approval for IFF Pharma Biz...

French firm Roquette seeks CCI clearance for its proposed acquisition of IFF's pharma...

Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO...

Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO receives overwhelming response, garnering 188.38...

OREDA & Tata Power: Rooftop Solar in Odisha

OREDA and Tata Power Renewable Energy partner to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in...

J&K Bank Profit Surges 26% in Q3 FY24-25

J&K Bank reports a 26.2% jump in net profit to Rs 531 crore for the...

Read More »

Sectoral Indices Market Indicators Listed Companies Gainers Losers Mutual Funds Portfolio Watchlist
© 2025 Rediff.com