What is eVTOL?

About eVTOL Aircraft:

• An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is one that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically.
• It is one of the newer technologies and developments in the aerospace industry.
• It is a low-altitude urban air mobility aircraft capable of carrying only a few passengers- six seaters and eight seaters.
• Technology used:
  • Most eVTOLs use distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe. There are multiple motors for various functions; to increase efficiency; and to also ensure safety.
  • This is technology that has grown on account of successes in electric propulsion based on progress in motor, battery, fuel cell and electronic controller technologies and also fuelled by the need for new vehicle technology that ensures urban air mobility (UAM). 
• Applications: Air Taxi, Delivery, Medical assistance (EMS), Cargo Transport, Recreation.
• Significance
  • In the near future, these eVTOLs will enhance “on-demand” mobility for intra- and intercity transportation, improving connectivity between metropolitan city centers and airports.

Q1: What is Electric Propulsion (EP)?

It is a class of space propulsion which makes use of electrical power to accelerate a propellant by different possible electrical and/or magnetic means.

Source: Is eVTOL a boon or bane? It depends on how we put it to use