Last week was a big week for Embraer’s sustainability department. The Brazilian planemaker launched four new aircraft concepts based on hybrid propulsion, electric and hydrogen technologies. Meanwhile, its Urban Air Mobility (UAM) branch announced a collaboration with Scandinavian regional carrier Widerøe to launch electric air taxis in Norway in the next five to six years. But what exactly is Embraer EVE and its flying taxi program? Embraer EVE’s planned urban air mobility vehicle is 100% electric. Photo: Embraer EVE Deliveries from 2026
Embraer EVE is part of the EmbraerX innovation subsidiary. In 2017, Uber signed a partnership with EmbraerX to make an aircraft for the Uber Elevate Network. The ride-sharing company has since sold the planned air taxi operations to Joby Aviation of California but will remain an investor. And Embraer EVE has proceeded with the eVTOL ( electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicle ) design, expected to enter service in 2026.
The aircraft will be 100% electric and have space for one pilot, four passengers, and their luggage. Its launch customer was Halo, a company started to become the ‘first global organization dedicated to vertical lift’. It intends to use 200 of EVE’s eVTOLs to operate hubs in London and New York.
“We believe Eve has designed an aircraft that is well-prepared for not only initial certification but also has a proven track record of production. The outstanding lineage of aircraft design, certification, and production that Embraer brings to this aircraft positions Eve with significant advantages in the competitive landscape,” said Kenneth C. Ricci, Principal of Directional Aviation, the investment fund behind Halo in June this year. Simulations for accessibility underway
Up until one month ago, EVE had orders involving 735 aircraft. Another hundred of these will go to Brazilian Avantto, which specializes in business aircraft sharing, in an order announced in early October. Meanwhile, one month prior, helicopter lessor group Bristow also signed up for 100 eVTOLs.
Currently, Embraer EVE is running a UAM simulation program in Rio de Janeiro. This utilizes four daily flights with a Bell 505 helicopter. The focus, the aerospace company says, is to develop services and procedures to ‘produce a safe and scaleable environment’ for UAM operations. This will also include an emphasis on maximizing accessibility in ventiports and during boarding operations. Regional UAM partners
EVE has not only partnered with Widerøe to develop regional operations but also with Kenya Airways, Australian Microflite, Ascent […]