The country’s first electric flying taxi, the ePlane e200, is set to take to the skies. This innovative leap in transportation is expected to be fully operational by next year. The prototype for the flying taxi was unveiled by Anand Mahindra.
The ePlane e200 has been developed by the ePlane, an initiative of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. This two-seater aircraft is designed to revolutionize intra-city commute and cargo transportation.
The ePlane e200 boasts impressive specifications. It can cruise at a speed of 160 kmph and reach a top speed of 200 kmph. When fully charged, it has a range of up to 200 kilometers. These features make it up to 10 times faster than road-based vehicles like cabs.
The ePlane e200 aims to alleviate on-road traffic congestion in cities. “Designed for up to 10X faster intra-city commute and cargo transportation, we aim to alleviate on-road traffic congestion in cities through our flagship product,” said Satya Chakravarthy, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras.
The unveiling of the ePlane e200 marks a significant advancement in India’s journey towards electric air mobility2. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, unveiled the prototype and praised IIT Madras for its role in innovation. He stated, “IIT Madras has become one of the world’s most exciting and active incubators. Thanks to them and the rapidly growing number of ambitious incubators throughout India, we’re no longer seen as a country that lacks genuine innovators”
The ePlane e200 promises to significantly reduce travel time and alleviate urban traffic congestion. With its impressive speed and range, it could transform the way we commute. But the question remains, would you ever use one? As we move towards a future of sustainable and efficient transport, it might just be a question of when, not if.