Electric two-seater 150mph aircraft capable of travelling 60 miles revealed in California

American company Archer Aviation unveiled its first electric flying taxi ‘Maker’ in a Tesla-style debut in California on Thursday night.

The ‘Maker’ two-seater taxi is capable of travelling for 60 miles at 150mph across cities, the company’s CEO has said, with its commercial launch expected in 2024.

The unveiling comes as an increasing number of investors and aviation companies pile into the hot but yet-to-be-approved urban air mobility space, but the vehicle has not yet been shown in the air.

Interest in zero-emission aircraft that take off and land like helicopters but fly like planes is growing as aerospace companies look for new markets and face pressure to help decarbonize their industry though the battery-operated vehicles.

Maker’s debut, staged at a hangar using XR technology to simulate a ride with guests including ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Aaron Paul, followed news on Thursday of two separate deals involving electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft companies based in Britain and Brazil.

Archer’s aircraft does not yet fly commercially but it mounted an extravagant show under a new chief creative officer who has decades of experience in experiential design and television production, Kenny Taht, to attract attention.

Archer expects Maker’s commercial launch in 2024 in Los Angeles and Miami and is in the process of certifying the piloted four-passenger aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration, co-founder and co-CEO Brett Adcock told Reuters.

‘Our real goal is to make a mass market transportation solution in and around cities,’ Adcock said.

The taxis can fly at 150 miles per hour (240 km per hour) for distances up to 60 miles (100km) at an entry level price between $3 and $4 per passenger mile.

In New York City for example, the 17-mile trip from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manhattan would cost $50 to $70 and take around five to seven minutes versus 60 to 90 minutes in a car.

The vehicle has 12 electric motors powered by six independent battery packs, and the aircraft is 100 times quieter than a helicopter when its at altitude, generating just 45 decibels, Adcock has said.

‘Here at Archer we’re working on a project that has the potential to help curb carbon emissions which is important, has the potential to help fix traffic problems because even if we have electric cars on the ground we’re not fixing the problems in cities about getting around,’ said Adcock in an interview.

While experts estimate the eVTOL market to be worth billions over the next decade, it is not expected to immediately make money and the timing of regulatory approval remains uncertain.

Asked about the approval process, the FAA said: ‘The FAA can certify new technologies such as eVTOLs through its existing regulations. We may issue special conditions or additional requirements, depending on the type of project.’

As the market heats up, so has competition.

Archer is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Boeing-backed competitor Wisk Aero, which has accused it of stealing trade secrets and infringing on its patents.

Archer last week asked a California court to dismiss the lawsuit and courtersued Wisk for ‘false statements’ regarding a separate criminal probe.

Archer plans to go public through a $3.8 billion merger with blank-check company Atlas Crest and has an investment and $1 billion order from United Airlines.

The unveiling came as American Airlines said on Thursday it plans to invest $25 million in U.K.-based Vertical Aerospace Group and consider a $1 billion order for small, electric-powered aircraft that can take off and land like helicopters.

The American announcement came as Vertical Aerospace disclosed that it has agreed to merge with special-purpose acquisition company Broadstone Acquisition and become a publicly traded company later this year.

American, Microsoft’s M12, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce and others will take stakes in Vertical through private investment in public equity, or PIPE transactions. 

Another investor, Irish aircraft leasing company Avolon, said Thursday that it placed a $2 billion conditional order for up to 500 Vertical aircraft.

Vertical is working to develop a four-passenger electric aircraft that could carry people from city centers to airports. The company said it plans to conduct its first test flight later this year and hopes to gain regulatory approvals as early as 2024.

American said it expects to make a ‘pre-order’ up to 250 aircraft – suggesting a price tag of $4 million per aircraft – with an option for 100 more. The order hinges on Vertical meeting certain terms, which the companies did not detail.

The deal is the latest move by a major airline to demonstrate interest in developing technology around electric aircraft and alternative fuels. 

United announced a similar deal with Archer Aviation, in February, but critics view the announcements as greenwashing by airlines whose planes are a growing source of climate-changing emissions.