Electric air taxi made its first successful flight in New York.

17 Feb 2023

BETA Technologies and Blade Air Mobility recently announced that they have successfully tested the first all-electric air taxi or eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off & Landing) around greater New York. The electric air taxi, ALIA-250 EVA is said to have been in the works for 3 years. The eVTOL is offered in 2 versions, one optimised for passengers and the other to transport cargo. Both versions come powered by a distributed direct-drive electric propulsion with 250 nautical miles of range and a 50-minute charging time. Vermont-based BETA Technologies, an electric aviation and aerospace manufacturer, teamed up with Blade Air Mobility, which provides cost-effective air transportation alternatives in some of the most congested areas globally (US, EU, Canada, and India) to make it a reality. Blade is said to purchase up to 20 air taxis and deploy them on various routes across the USA. In addition to the eVTOL, the company will also install the necessary charging infrastructure. Blade Air Mobility CEO Rob Wiesenthal stated that the demonstration is a big milestone in the company's transition from helicopters to electric air taxis. The ALIA-250 EVA, according to Wiesenthal, has the requisite range, capacity and noise profile for use in their key markets.