Stellantis Will Build Electric Flying Taxis
This page is translated from the original post "Stellantis va construire des taxis volants électriques" in French.
- 09/01/2023 12:30
In addition to betting on electric cars, Stellantis is integrating eVTOL production, with the electric flying taxi Archer Midnight.
At CES 2023, the focus was on technology for Stellantis. The automotive group not only revealed the main lines of the future of electric cars. It also showcased the Peugeot Inception concept or the prototype of the next RAM Revolution pickup. They are also investing in flying vehicles, along with the American company Archer, similar to Mercedes and Geely with Volocopter.
When a weight?
Since February 2021, Stellantis supported the eVTOL project (small electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). The partnership then included production, supply, and battery provision. “We have been working with Archer for two years,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, “I am continually impressed by their inventiveness and determination to succeed.”
Specifically, Stellantis is providing 150 million euros over the next two years, contingent on results. The manufacturer also purchases Archer shares and aims to “position itself as a major investor in Archer in the long term.” The CEO adds that this investment is “proof that Stellantis keeps pushing boundaries to offer eco-friendly mobility solutions to everyone, on the ground and in the air.”
Archer, an eVTOL with 160 km range
The collaboration enters a new phase, as Stellantis will officially produce the Archer Midnight eVTOL. The automotive group will also be the sole producer, at the Covington plant in Georgia (USA), starting in 2024. Flights are expected to begin only in 2025, within the fleet of United Airlines.
This eVTOL has a range of 160 kilometers per full charge, carrying 5 people, including the pilot. It can also support up to 450 kg of payload and fly at 200 km/h. However, the target is to cover a 30-kilometer trip, between which this aircraft would need only a 10-minute recharge. As for the price of a ride aboard the Archer Midnight, it would be comparable to a VTC or a traditional taxi.
Also read: Ryse Aero: the eVTOL for farmers demonstrated at CES 2023
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