Eve Air Mobility Unveils First Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype at FIA-24

Electric aircraft maker Eve Air Mobility unveiled its first full-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototype at the 45th Farnborough Airshow.

The "flying taxi" was built at Embraer's test facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State. The company aims to obtain certification and enter service in 2026. It plans to fly the prototype by the end of this year or early 2025, after beginning ground tests in July.

The first non-conforming prototype is equipped with electric engines but lacks a cabin and pilot. The final aircraft will seat four passengers and a pilot. Eve plans to have five conforming prototypes ready next year and a pre-series eVTOL by 2026 as part of the certification process.

Eve also announced the completion of its primary supplier selection for the eVTOL aircraft. As Eve moves into the next development phase, the prototype will undergo comprehensive testing campaigns. These are designed to assess various aspects of the aircraft's operation and performance, including flight capabilities and safety features. These insights will help refine the aircraft's design and functionality.

Eve’s aircraft uses eight dedicated propellers for vertical flight and fixed wings for cruising, with no change in component position during flight. The concept includes an electric pusher powered by dual electric motors, providing propulsion redundancy to ensure performance, safety, dispatch reliability, and low operational costs.