So far, no EVtools have been launched commercially. Although many companies have announced plans to enter commercial service by 2025.
Currently, companies are testing prototypes and showing what they can do – a company called Autoflight broke the world record for the longest Evitol flight last month. The plane covered more than 155 miles (250 km), nearly a mile longer than the previous record held by Joby.
But despite the impressive test flights, questions remain about how close we are to seeing commercial EVs hit the skies.
Getting regulatory approval can be a sticking point. Agencies in the US and EU plan to classify EVs as a special category of aircraft, meaning they will be subject to different requirements than conventional aircraft. There’s still some uncertainty about how that whole process will go down, especially in the US.
Still, some companies are paying it forward. Earlier this year, Archer began construction of a production facility in Georgia, which will begin production as early as 2024 and produce up to 650 aircraft per year.
What does EVitol mean for the climate?
Swapping fossil-fuel powered aircraft for electric aircraft could be a win-win for the climate.
When it comes to conventional aircraft, the average grid-electric aircraft can reduce emissions by 50% compared to a fossil fuel-powered aircraft. If, instead, electric planes were fueled using all renewable resources, emissions reductions would jump to a maximum of 88%. Most of the remaining emissions come from battery production – because they turn on and charge a lot, batteries may need to be replaced every year or so.
