Next-Gen eVTOL Projections
Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) architectures are fundamentally restructuring urban air mobility (UAM) metrics. The following data models projected performance for vehicles pending FAA/EASA type certification.
| Manufacturer | Model | Propulsion Concept | Target Range (sm) | Target Speed (mph) | Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joby Aviation | S4 | Vectored Thrust (Tilt-prop) | 150 | 200 | 1 + 4 |
| Archer Aviation | Midnight | Vectored Thrust | 100 | 150 | 1 + 4 |
| Lilium | Lilium Jet | Electric Ducted Fan | 155 | 175 | 1 + 6 |
| Volocopter | VoloCity | Multirotor | 22 | 68 | 1 + 1 |
Battery Energy Density Constraints
Current lithium-ion pack densities hover around 250-300 Wh/kg at the cell level, limiting absolute range compared to hydrocarbon fuels (approx 12,000 Wh/kg). Viability hinges on rapid turnaround charging (approx 10-15 mins) and low noise signatures enabling city-center vertiport access.
Noise Target (Hover)65 dBA @ 100m
Certification PathFAA Part 21.17(b) / SC-VTOL
DOC Target< $3.00 per passenger mile