Working to revolutionize commuting in cities world-wide, United recently-announced a $15 million investment and a purchase agreement for 200 four-seater electric flying taxis.
These taxis have been in development for sometime. Known as “eVTOLs” (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle), United believe they have the potential to really work in the transportation market.
Signed with Eve Air Mobility, United, who has invested in these eVTOL projects before, is expecting the first deliveries as early as 2026, and could order an additional 200 units according to the contract.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.
With the skies above major cities set to become the next lanes of traffic, aviation authorities will need ideas about how to manage the transportation environment in a world where 500-1,000 flying taxies work in every metropolis making several trips per day.
EVE is working with UK Air Mobility to try and develop a contingency plan to debut alongside their eVTOLs.
“United has made early investments in several cutting-edge technologies at all levels of the supply chain,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures.
“Today, United is making history again, by becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies. Our agreement with Eve highlights our confidence in the urban air mobility market and serves as another important benchmark toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 without using traditional offsets.”
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United was the first major U.S. airline to create a corporate venture fund, United Airlines Ventures (UAV), designed to support the company’s 100% green commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 without the use of traditional offsets. Through UAV, United has led the industry in investments in eVTOL and electric aircraft, hydrogen fuel cell engines, and sustainable aviation fuel.
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