When Volkswagen Delves into Electric Flying Vehicles

The Chinese subsidiary of Volkswagen has built an eVTOL, an electric flying craft V.MO that will take off starting next year.

Since the electric revolution shook up the industry, several automakers have been attracted to flying vehicles. Hyundai unveiled the Supernal, Mercedes invested in the Volocopter, and now Volkswagen is getting into the game. Or rather, with a propeller.

A 4-passenger eVTOL

In reality, this is not the first time. The Audi brand was a partner in the Airbus and Italdesign concept, the Pop.up Next, showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018. However, it was left without follow-up. Here, the German group is more serious. In 2020, its Chinese subsidiary launched the “Vertical Mobility” project, resulting in this first prototype two years later.

Hence, the “Flying Tiger,” nickname for this craft due to its colors, officially named V.MO (Vertical MObility). This eVTOL is 11.20 meters long and 10.6 meters wingspan, capable of carrying 4 people “and their luggage”.

Designed with several partners including the Sunward Group and Magna, the aircraft takes off using 8 electric rotors and two propellers. No information about the battery, whose technology would come from the automotive sector and the Chinese supplier CATL. But its capacity would be enough to fly 200 kilometers according to Volkswagen.

First flights of the flying taxi in 2023

The Volkswagen Group continues developing its eVTOL and is working with Chinese authorities for certification. Thus, the first flights will not begin before the end of summer 2023. As for a future launch, V.MO reveals nothing, although it will eventually move to industrial phase.

But its goal is clear: “transport passengers more quickly and more efficiently than conventional land-based transportation methods, and with greater flexibility.”

Also read: Wisk Aero: the American autonomous eVTOL supported by Boeing