Air taxis are getting closer to takeoff as many car manufacturers pour millions into the growing sector.
Key Details
- Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Chrysler vehicles, has partnered with air-taxi startup Archer Aviation to commercialize flying taxis.
- The company invested $75 million into Archer in 2021 and is preparing to make another $150 million investment.
- If everything goes to plan, Stellantis will be the primary manufacturer of Archer’s newest flying taxi prototype Midnight—which holds four passengers and is designed to make continuous 20-mile trips.
Why it’s news
Flying cars have been dreamed about for years, and the vehicles could soon become a reality as many aviation startups reach commercialization through the help of car manufacturers.
The Midnight prototype by Archer Aviation is the latest ait taxi getting close to lift off. The vehicle will hold four passengers plus a pilot and has been designed to take back-to-back 20-mile trips with 10 minutes of charging between.
The Midnight is planning on being entirely produced by Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Chrysler vehicles, who has poured millions of investments into Archer Aviation.
Air Taxi companies have been partnering with car manufacturers to keep the cost of air taxis low. The taxis are close to the size of a car, and car manufacturers have mastered the mass production of vehicles and are looking to do the same with flying taxis.
The purpose of the flying taxi is to be more energy efficient and give off less pollution. People can use an air taxi to get to a short destination rather than a car, reducing pollution because the taxis are all electric.
Others in the space
Archer aviation isn’t the only one nearing commercialization for flying taxis.
United Airlines made a $5-million investment in Eve Air Mobility, a company that produces flying taxis, while Delta Air Lines made a $60-million investment in a competing air-taxi company Joby Aviation Inc.
British startup Vertical Aerospace completed its first successful test flight in September and XPeng Aeroht had a successful test flight in Dubai in October.
Many other companies are joining the rest in betting on the future of light with air taxis.