Vertical CEO: New Valo eVTOL Will Be ‘People’s Air Taxi’

CEO Stuart Simpson tells BBC Today that passenger flights will cost the ‘same as a cab.’

Jack Daleo

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Vertical’s newly unveiled Valo has a projected range of 100 miles, with capacity for four passengers at launch and six passengers in the future. [Credit: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace unveiled its Valo eVTOL aircraft, positioning it as the "people's air taxi" with a projected cost per seat per kilometer comparable to a cab after an initial premium period.
The Valo is an enhanced, zero-emission successor to the VX4 prototype, designed for "airliner-level safety certification" (10^-9 standard) and featuring improved aerodynamics, low noise, and a 100-mile electric range.
The company aims for U.K. and EASA certification by 2028, with plans to launch commercial operations by 2029, establishing a network for short-haul travel in the UK and holding approximately 1,500 preorders from global partners.

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U.K. developer Vertical Aerospace this week unveiled its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Valo, which, according to CEO Stuart Simpson, will be the “people’s air taxi.”

A chief criticism of eVTOL aircraft is their anticipated cost, leading many to characterize electric air taxis as a service for the wealthy. But Simpson said that won’t be the case for Vertical’s flagship model.