<
https://thedriven.io/2024/09/13/not-useful-electric-air-taxis-an-option-for-wealthy-but-wont-save-emissions-or-time/>
"Air taxis and other electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs)
are not useful mass transport technologies for the energy transition, according
to a report by the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW).
The authors conclude that eVTOLs raise costs, hardly affect travel times, and
cause more emissions than electric cars.
“Urban air mobility is often touted as sustainable, fast and cheap. However,
our study shows that the actual benefits are very limited,” said co-author Anna
Straubinger. “Therefore, they do not make a positive contribution to the energy
transition in the transport sector.”
In the short to medium term, manufacturers and potential operators of eVTOLs
are aiming for a price of five euros per kilometre, which is around two and a
half times more expensive than using a taxi and around 15 times more expensive
than a car,according to the report.
Similar to other aircraft, eVTOLs would require take-off and landing sites,
leading to wait times for departures and arrivals that limit time savings. The
authors say that while eVTOLs might be an option for the wealthiest in society,
they are unlikely to have broader acceptance from the public who would suffer
associated noise and visual consequences.
However, the report highlights some potential niche applications for the
technology, like connecting remote regions or emergency operations."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
