Carmakers and futuristic eVTOL aircraft sound like an odd match. But the gold rush towards the new era of aviation will necessitate building these electric aircraft at automotive scale to meet forecasted demand in 10 years. That’s why automobile manufacturers and eVTOL developers are pairing up now, like high-school seniors at the prom. Beyond credibility, the aviation start-ups are getting cash investments from the carmakers as well as technology and advice on how to build at automotive scale.
On their side, the auto marques are learning more about advanced composites and aerodynamics as they try to explore getting into this new niche. “Almost everyone has some sort of automobile partner, whether directly investing them, or helping them with operations,” Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu told Robb Report. “The main reason is operational prowess, meaning that automakers are very good at making stuff consistently at high volume, and they have a supply chain that is very deep and diverse.” Below are some of the dance partners and the projected numbers for eVTOL growth.
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Joby Aviation + Toyota
Image Credit: Joby Aviation Toyota’s 2021 $390 million investment in Joby Aviation seems like just the start between the auto giant and the California startup, which is leading the eVTOL race with its S4 in terms of testing and planned certification dates. Besides the cash infusion, Toyota has been guiding Joby on processes at its new production facility. Joby recently reported that it was able to decrease the footprint of the factory by 100,000 square feet, while at the same time increasing efficiency.
Model: S4
First Test Flight: 2017
Expected Certification: 2024
Occupants: 5
Range: 150 miles
Cruise Speed: 200 mph
Added Lift: A $394 million investment by Toyota -
Archer Aviation + Stellantis
Image Credit: Archer Aviation Another California startup, Archer Aviation, has partnered with Stellantis to gain access to the carmaker’s engineering, supply chain and manufacturing expertise. But the biggest gain, says Archer, will be Stellantis’ battery technology—key to making its eVTOLs function. Stellantis’ scale will allow Archer to purchase the latest generation of batteries at significantly lower costs than competitors who may not have a major automaker as its partner. Archer has also gained new technologies in reducing vibration, noise and harshness in its Maker and soon-to-be-revealed Midnight models. The two-person Maker made its first flight in December 2021, and has been flying regularly since then. The company says the Maker should achieve “full-transition” flights, in which it hovers vertically and then moves into forward flight, by the end of this year.
Model: Midnight
First Test Flight: TBD
Expected Certification: 2024
Occupants: 5
Range: 100 miles
Cruise Speed: 150 mph
Added Lift: The auto group’s engineering, supply-chain and manufacturing expertise -
Eve Air Mobility + Porsche
Image Credit: Eve Air Mobility Eve, which is backed by jetmaker Embraer, is working with Porsche as it develops its manufacturing, supply chain and parts distribution. The company said in June that the partnership is designed to address scalability and distributed production. “The UAM ecosystem is quickly evolving, and we can only achieve our goal if we spark enthusiasm for new ideas in manufacturing and supply chain areas,” said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve.
Model: Eve
First Test Flight: TBD
Expected Certification: 2026
Occupants: 5
Range: 60 miles
Cruise Speed: 115 mph
Added Lift: Porsche’s guidance in strategy and logistics -
Lilium + Denso
Image Credit: Lilium German eVTOL startup Lilium will be partnering with automaker Denso and aviation specialist Honeywell to co-develop and manufacture the electric motors that will power the Lilium Jet’s engines. Honeywell already has an alliance with Denso to develop electric propulsion solutions for aerospace. Lilium says it will benefit from Honeywell’s expertise and Denso’s volume production. The partners have been working on the project for two years.
Model: Lilium Jet
First Test Flight: 2015
Expected Certification: 2025
Occupants: TBD
Range: 155 miles
Cruise Speed: 175 mph
Added Lift: The development of an innovative electric-jet motor -
Volocopter 4-Seater VoloConnect
Image Credit: Volocopter Another German startup, Volocopter, has received the financial backing of two auto giants. Geely Holding (owner of Volvo) invested $55 million into Volocopter in 2019, as part of a joint venture to bring urban air mobility to the Chinese market. The partners last year announced a deal to bring 150 Volocopter air taxis to China. Germany’s Daimler Group had earlier raised about $90 million for Volocopter. It’s not clear if either automaker is providing technical advice or any other expertise to Volocopter.
Model: VoloConnect
First Test Flight: 2022
Expected Certification: 2026
Occupants: 5
Range: 60 miles
Cruise Speed: 155 mph
Added Lift: Financial infusion, plus access to China’s vast market -
Supernal + Hyundai
Image Credit: Supernal Hyundai has committed $1.5 billion to funding its subsidiary, Supernal, as it develops and moves towards producing its new five-seat eVTOL air taxi. Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motors, has been committed to the aviation project for about five years, according to Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal, giving the eVTOL startup serious long-term financial and technical backing. Hyundai will also help Supernal develop a more comfortable experience, starting with the interior. “In aerospace, there’s a tendency to focus on the technology of the aircraft, and then stick seats in it,” Michael Whittaker, Supernal’s chief commercial officer, told Robb Report. “Cars are much more passenger-centric.”
Model: TBD
First Test Flight: TBD
Expected Certification: 2024
Occupants: 5
Range: TBD
Cruise Speed: TBD
Added Lift: $1.5 billion from parent Hyundai Motor Group
