Results
Title

Assessing Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing for Urban Air Taxi Services: Key Parameters and Future Transportation Impact.

Authors

Liu, Yinfei; Gao, Chao

Abstract

Urban air mobility (UAM) enabled by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft presents an innovative transportation system for mega-cities. An analysis of the techno-economic feasibility of eVTOL air taxis can provide insights into the development and potential impacts of this emerging mobility solution. This study examines eVTOL configurations and proposes a conceptual model for eVTOL air taxi services. A generic cost–revenue model is developed to evaluate the economic feasibility using the rate of return-on-investment approach. Two critical parameters are identified—maximum voyage and price per kilometer. The modeling analysis shows that eVTOL air taxis can achieve a positive rate of return given realistic assumptions on the critical parameters. Reductions in operating costs and increases in maximum voyage range improve financial viability. With technological advancement, eVTOL air taxis are expected to transform urban transportation by increasing capacity and flexibility. The techno-economic analysis provides useful implications for urban planning and policy regarding this innovative mobility mode.

Subjects

AIR taxis; VERTICALLY rising aircraft; URBAN transportation; LANDING (Aeronautics); TECHNOLOGICAL innovations; URBAN planning; URBAN policy

Publication

Sustainability (2071-1050), 2024, Vol 16, Issue 11, p4732

ISSN

2071-1050

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.3390/su16114732