Eve Is Flying Real-World Simulated eVTOL Routes

The Embraer spinoff predicts Chicago could support a fleet of 240 air taxis by 2035.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 05:23 PM ET

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Eve’s eVTOL air taxi is still under development, but the company is using helicopters to gather passenger data during simulated commuter routes. [Courtesy: Eve]

Key Takeaways:

Eve, Embraer's eVTOL subsidiary, is conducting simulated air taxi operations in Chicago using helicopters and augmented reality to gather data on future operations and passenger experience.
The Chicago XP program aims to inform the development of eVTOL infrastructure, operational requirements, and passenger services, with Eve projecting commercial service could begin by 2026.
The company estimates a significant market in Chicago by 2035, including 240 eVTOLs, 150 routes, 20 vertiports, and $222 million in annual revenue.
The emerging air taxi industry is also seen as a potential new career path for pilots, offering a sustainable way to build flight hours and address pilot shortages.

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Embraer’s Eve (NYSE: EVEX) is years away from producing a certificated electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, but this month, it’s been conducting simulated real-world test flights in Chicago using helicopters.

As part of its Chicago XP program running through the end of September, Eve and Blade (NASDAQ: BLDE) are flying simulated air taxi commuter routes from three Chicago-area heliports. On the ground, passengers can use tablets outfitted with special software to view how Eve’s aircraft and a vertiport would appear during future operations.