Electric VTOL air taxis are one of the great emerging technologies of our time that could help us reach our destinations more quickly and cut road traffic as well as reduce CO2 emissions. Several companies and startups are in this race to develop their eVTOL air taxis. One of them is Eve Air Mobility, a Brazilian subsidiary of Embraer, which produces eVTOL aircraft and urban air infrastructure.
This UAM startup has now partnered with a renewable energy expert Acciona to accelerate the development of a global and sustainable Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. While Eve is developing a future air taxi, Acciona will provide support and expertise related to battery charging solutions. The partnership will also benefit novel industrial initiatives in the development of a sustainable UAM ecosystem, including vertiports, power purchase agreements, and handling.
“Our agreement with Acciona reinforces Eve’s commitment to delivering a sustainable UAM ecosystem, which includes not only our zero-emission eVTOL – electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle – but also the green infrastructure that will support this new way of transport. Its capability to build these infrastructures, added to its top credentials in sustainability, brings essential skills and expertise to the business that will help us maintain our distinction in the market,” said André Stein, co-CEO of Eve.
Under the terms of the partnership, Acciona will invest US$30 million and will join the group of strategic investors that are currently supporting the development of Eve and its business plan.
At the end of last year, Eve announced its plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) through a business combination with Zanite Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company focused on the aviation sector. After the listing, which is expected to be officially announced in the second quarter of 2022, José Manuel Entrecanales, Acciona’s Chairman and CEO, will become one of the seven members of the Board of Directors.
