eVTOL: An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft
Recently the Ministry of Civil Aviation has revealed the possibility of operating eVTOL aircraft in India in the near future.
- The central government is exploring the possibility of inviting manufacturers of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to set up bases in India.
- e-VTOL is a new class of clean, noise free and affordable air transport solutions. It has the potential to radically transform urban traffic.
- India will use eVTOL aircraft by the year 2047 to ensure urban air traffic.
- The global market for eVTOLs was worth $8.5 million in the year It is projected to grow to $30.8 million by 2030.
- eVTOL aircraft uses electrical power to hover, take off and land vertically. Most eVTOLS use distributed electric propulsion technology. This means that the complex propulsion system is integrated with the airframe. This technology developed as a result of electric propulsion based on developments in motor, battery, fuel cell and electronic controller technologies.
- This is driven by the need for new vehicle technology ensuring urban air traffic.
Utility of eVTOL aircraft: Fire fighting, public safety, search and rescue, disaster relief and law enforcement.
AVTOL certification is complicated. Reasons for this include:
- Planned operations in urban areas,
- Having a new battery system, and
- High level highly automated methodology.
Source – The Hindu
