The Flying Car is here!
There’s something faintly ludicrous about the thought of flying over traffic in your very own electric air taxi, especially when someone mentions it could cost the same as a premium Uber. Yet, here we are, firmly in the 21st century, and the folks at Joby Aviation believe we’ll all be zipping through the skies by 2025—pending the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) blessing, of course. And not in a jet-setting, celebrity-lifestyle sort of way, but rather in the “Manhattan to JFK in seven minutes” manner. Yes, by the time you’ve polished off your overpriced airport latte, you could be landing. Cue the British chuckle.
eVTOL: The Future of Urban Mobility or Just a Fancy Uber?
Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is shaping up to be a real contender in this brave new world of skyward urban commuting. The company claims that once their air taxis take flight commercially—anticipated as early as 2025—the price could rival that of Uber Black. So for the same price as a premium ride on the ground, you could be soaring above traffic, sipping champagne (okay, probably just water) as you bid farewell to the infernal honking below. It’s all very ‘The Jetsons’ meets New York rush hour.
But there’s more than just fantasy at play here. Industry experts are pegging the air taxi market to hit a staggering $65 billion by 2028. It sounds bonkers now, but in a world where we pay extra for oversized avocado toast, maybe paying a bit more to glide above it all doesn’t sound so mad. Joby, along with competitors, are banking on it.
Follow the Money: Major Players Betting Big
If you’re wondering who’s taking this flying taxi lark seriously, allow me to introduce some familiar names. In the last two decades, $22 billion has been poured into eVTOL development by major players like Uber, Stellantis, and Honeywell. Even Toyota has forked over nearly $400 million to Joby, giving it the financial clout to make flying taxis not just a pipe dream but a near reality. And then there’s Delta Air Lines, which—because why not—has thrown $60 million into the mix to help Joby launch this ambitious plan.
The question remains: will all this investment pay off, or are we just funding very expensive flying toys? Time will tell, but one thing is certain—the skies will soon be a lot busier.
Fast and Electric: More Than Just a Gimmick
Joby’s eVTOL isn’t just designed for a quick jaunt across the city. The aircraft boasts a 150-mile range on a single charge, meaning it can handle multiple urban trips before needing to juice up. And with six motors powered by four batteries, this machine is built with enough redundancy to keep you airborne even if one of the batteries throws a tantrum. Not that you’d notice, of course. You’ll be too busy marveling at the fact that a journey from Manhattan to JFK Airport now takes just seven minutes. Seven minutes! You can barely queue up for an airport sandwich in that time.
Of course, none of this would work without the infrastructure. The cost of converting heliports into vertiports (because why not invent new words for things we already have) is estimated between $3.5 million and $12 million per site. That’s the price of making sure your futuristic air taxi has a place to land and recharge.
What’s Next? The Sky’s the Limit (Literally)
Although Joby expects to take to the skies by 2025, don’t expect to see your neighborhood buzzing with air taxis just yet. Large-scale rollouts likely won’t happen until 2028, assuming the FAA doesn’t get cold feet. By then, the world could be unrecognizable—or at least more congested at 1,000 feet.
So, while we’re not quite ready for Blade Runner skies, we’re much closer than you might think. Who knows? In a few years, you might find yourself explaining to your incredulous mates how you swapped an Uber ride for a quick dash through the skies in an electric flying taxi.
The future of urban mobility is hurtling toward us faster than we ever imagined. Whether you see it as progress or a recipe for mid-air collisions, there’s no denying that eVTOLs are set to change how we move. Just don’t forget to look up.
Nik J Miles
