Top 10 Players in the eVTOL Aircraft Industry

eVTOL aircraft is a type of which uses electric power to take off, hover, and land vertically. A number of electric motors and large onboard batteries are integrated into these aircrafts.  

The prime players operating in this business vertical are-  

Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd (EHANG)

Market Position or History

• In January 2022, EHANG announced the launch of its 5G Air Mobility Center for eVTOLs at the Innovation Park, Guangzhou, China.  

Business Overview and Strategy

Established in 2014, the company was established in Huazhi Hu and Yifang (Derrick) Xiong. Its headquarters are located in Guangzhou, China. It manufactures passenger AAVs and autonomous aerial vehicles for use in diverse verticals including survey missions, aerial cinematography, emergency response, and photography.  

EHANG’s primary mission is to produce autonomous, safe, and sustainable air mobility solutions and make it easily accessible to everyone. Most of the aerial vehicles created by the company ensure lesser emission since they are electrically powered.  

Volocopter GmbH

History and Market Position  

• In July 2021, Volocopter announced the acquisition of DG Flungzeugbau. Post that, it received Product Organization Approval, making it the world’s only electric launch and vertical take-off company.

Business Overview and Strategy

Founded by Stephan Wolf and Alexander Zosel, the company was established in 2011. It has its headquarters in Bruchsal, Baden-Wuttemberg, Germany. Volocopter is known for designing electric multirotor helicopters. These helicopters are developed in the form of personal air vehicles that can be used as air taxis.  

The motors of the air vehicles created by the company are mostly powered by independent quick charge lithium-ion batteries. Volocopter aims at creating affordable and eco-friendly air mobility solutions for the transportation of passengers and goods.  

Lilium GmbH

Market Position or History

• In September 2022, Lilium GmbH announced its intention to build at least 400 electric powered air taxis in a year. For that, it is slated to build a vast industrial capacity.  

Business Overview and Strategy 

The company was established in 2015 and has its headquarters in Weßling, Germany. It is known for developing the Lilium Jet, a personal air vehicle that is electrically powered equipped with the capability of electric landing and vertical take-off (eVTOL).  

Lilium is envisioned at producing eco-friendly and affordable air mobility solutions. It has adopted various initiatives to boost the decarbonization of transport and help in tacking anthropogenic climate change.  

Aurora Flight Sciences 

Market Position or History 

• In November 2022, Aurora Flights Sciences unveiled its wing eVTOL UAS range, SKIRON-X.  

Business Overview and Strategy  

Established in 1989, the company is a subsidiary of Boeing Co. It has its headquarters in Virginia, United States. It primarily designs and manufactures special-purpose UAVs.  

Aurora Flight Sciences aims to redefine the future of air mobility by integrating innovative technologies. It has also developed electrically powered UAVs with a vision to promote sustainable air mobility.  

Bell Textron  

Market Position or History 

• In August 2021, Bell Textron Inc. announced to have designed high speed vertical take-off and landing military aircraft systems.   

Business Overview and Strategy  

The company was established in 1960 and has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Textron is the parent organization of this firm. It manufactures commercial helicopters and military rotocrafts.  

Bell Textron believes in making safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable air mobility solutions catering to the defense, commercial, and personal travel needs of the masses.  

Terrafugia 

Market Position or History 

• In November 2017, Terrafugia was acquired by Chinese automaker Zhejian Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.  

Business Overview and Strategy  

Established in 2006, the company is a subsidiary of Geely and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. It was founded by Carl Dietrich, Anna Mracek Dietrich, Samuel Schweighart, Alex Min, and Arun Prakash.  

With its headquarters in Woburn, Massachusetts, U.S., Terrafugia develops highly advanced air mobility solutions. It is currently working on the development of a roadable aircraft called Transition and a flying car named TF-X.  

The company is envisioned towards making air mobility a part of daily transportation. It wants to reduce the gap between road and air travel. 

Kitty Hawk Corporation 

Market Position or History 

• In June 2021, Kitty Hawk Corporation announced the acquisition of 3D Robotics to enhance its technological strength.  

Business Overview and Strategy 

Established in 2010, the company has its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, United States. It predominantly manufactures electric personal air vehicles.  

Kitty Hawk produces eco-friendly, advanced, autonomous, and cost-effective air taxis. It aims to tackle climate change by reducing emission levels from air transportation entities. It intends to redefine the dynamics or air travel.  

Workhorse  

Market Position or History 

• In 2018, Workhorse announced that its advanced creation, SureFly eVTOL octocopter will be unveiled in the Detroit Auto Show, 2019.  

Business Overview and Strategy 

The company was established in 2007 with its headquarters located in Ohio, United States. It manufactures a diverse range of mobility products including delivery drones, telematics software, and electric delivery vans, among others. Its product portfolio also includes a two-seat hybrid vTOL aircraft.  

Workhorse intends to provide sustainable and affordability commercial mobility solutions. It caters to both on road mobility and onair mobility needs. The company believes in integrating advanced technologies to facilitate faster transportation.  

Embraer  

Market Position or History 

• In October 2018, Embraer announced the launch of two new business jets Praetor 500 and Praetor 600.  

Business Overview and Strategy  

Established in 1969, the company was founded by Ozires Silva. It has its headquarters located in Paulo, Brazil. It produces aircrafts to cater to commercial, agricultural, military, and executive needs. It also offers aeronautical services.  

Embraer believes in creating air transporation vehicles that are not only easily accessible and affordable but are also eco-friendly. Therefore, it has manufactured a diverse range of electrically powered aircrafts.  

Karem Aircraft 

Market Position or History 

• In July 2019, Karem Aircraft Inc. announced the launch of an air taxi company named Butterfly.  

Business Overview and Strategy  

The company was established by Abraham Karem in 2004. It is known for manufacturing man and unmanned high efficiency tiltrotors along with fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircrafts.  

It believes in integrating high end technologies to design fast, reliable, safe, affordable, and eco-conscious mobility solutions. Karem Aircraft Inc. has a team of efficient professionals with robust expertise in the field.