eVTOL Industry Outlook: What to Expect in the Coming Years

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry is transforming transportation, promising sustainable, efficient urban air mobility. In 2025, despite challenges for some, global leaders are advancing certification, commercialisation, and infrastructure through innovative partnerships and rigorous testing. 

Research Advancements Driving eVTOL Innovation Research - A sign of progress?

Archer’s partnership with Palantir harnesses AI to optimise manufacturing and air traffic systems, enhancing safety and efficiency. 

Eve Air Mobility’s study with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre explored community perceptions of eVTOL noise and visuals, informing urban integration strategies. 

NASA’s collaboration with Joby at Edwards Air Force Base uses advanced LiDAR to study downwash and tracking, vital for safe urban operations. 

Wisk’s autonomy research, tested on a Bell helicopter, refines sensor fusion and decision-making algorithms, paving the way for uncrewed flights. These efforts, supported by regulatory sandboxes like Brazil’s ANAC, ensure eVTOLs meet stringent safety and societal standards.

Archer Aviation 

A California-based Archer Aviation is scaling its Midnight eVTOL through a “Launch Edition” programme, partnering with Abu Dhabi Aviation for passenger flights in the UAE and Ethiopian Airlines for African expansion. With £850M in liquidity from £560M raised, Archer began production in Georgia and opened a Munich office, hiring former Lilium engineers. A United Airlines-backed air taxi network aims to reduce travel times in San Francisco and New York, targeting 5–15-minute airport transfers.

Beta Technologies 

Beta Technologies demonstrated its eCTOL aircraft’s reliability with a 12,875-km U.S. tour across 82 airports. Its second eCTOL will conduct cargo demonstrations in Norway with Bristow and Avinor, leveraging Beta’s nationwide charging network to prove scalable, cost-effective electric aviation.

Eve Air Mobility 

Backed by Embraer, Eve Air Mobility signed an MoU with South Korea’s UI Helicopter to build an AAM ecosystem. Wind tunnel testing and a Brazilian vertiport regulatory sandbox advance its eVTOL, with flight tests planned for mid-2025. Holding £330M in liquidity and 2,800 LOIs, Eve leads with the largest eVTOL order book.

Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation nears the fourth stage of FAA certification, with five S4 aircraft logging over 64,000 km. A Dubai delivery is planned for mid-2025, and a Virgin Atlantic partnership will enable UK air taxi services. NASA’s downwash and tracking studies with Joby enhance urban flight safety, while expanded production in California and Ohio supports certification.

SkyDrive 

Japan’s SkyDrive secured an LOI with UAE’s AeroGulf Services for 50 SD-05 eVTOLs, targeting tourism at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. Demo flights at Expo 2025 in Osaka, using a new vertiport, showcased its three-seat SKYDRIVE model, advancing Japan’s AAM ambitions.

Supernal 

Hyundai’s Supernal partnered with CHC Helicopter for MRO services to support its S-A2 eVTOL, set for 2028 delivery. The company focuses on scaling operations for 193 km/h cruises over 97-km ranges.

Vertical Aerospace 

The UK’s Vertical Aerospace strengthened its team with aviation expert Eamonn Brennan and Volocopter’s former test pilot, Paul Stone. With £76M in cash, Vertical is assembling its third VX4 prototype and expanding its UK test centre, funded through 2025.

Volocopter 

Aerospace Germany’s Volocopter, acquired by China’s Wanfeng Aircraft for £7.7M, continues VoloCity certification under Diamond Aircraft’s oversight. Recent flight tests, including a flight control computer reversion campaign, keep it on track for 2025 EASA approval, retaining its Bruchsal base.

Wisk Aero 

Boeing’s Wisk Aero advances its autonomous Gen 6 air taxi, engaging Texas and Australian stakeholders. A white paper on AAM in Australia and real-world autonomy testing on a Bell helicopter underscore its focus on safe, scalable systems.

The Industry Outlook The eVTOL sector faced a setback with Lilium’s closure in February 2025, resulting in 1,000 redundancies after a failed rescue package. Yet, global momentum persists, driven by research, strategic acquisitions, and regulatory progress. As companies like Archer, Joby, and Eve near commercialisation, eVTOLs are edging closer to revolutionising urban mobility, delivering faster, greener travel solutions worldwide.