United Airlines strengthened its bet on flying taxis with a $15 million investment in Eve Air Mobility, a developer of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, the carrier announced Thursday. The deal also included a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft plus 200 options, with deliveries to begin as early as 2026.
The investment comes about a month after United provided a $10 million deposit to Archer Aviation for 100 of that company’s electric aircraft. The carrier also has invested in hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia.
Eve’s eVTOL aircraft have an expected range of about 60 miles, and the company has a relationship with Embraer, which includes access to Embraer’s service centers, parts warehouses and field service technicians.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility ecosystem, according to United. The carrier will join Eve’s urban air mobility simulation operations scheduled to begin Sept. 12 in Chicago.
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