India is aiming to bring electric air taxis into commercial use by 2028, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in Bengaluru. The aircraft are designed to take off and land vertically like helicopters and run on battery power.
Speaking at the inauguration of Sarla Aviation’s new headquarters, the minister said the country is accelerating efforts to test the emerging technology. He added that trials are expected to gather pace next year.
The minister pointed to congested metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi as key markets where electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could offer a new mobility option. He said demand is expected not only in Bengaluru but also in Mumbai and Delhi.
Sarla Aviation is set to begin air taxi testing next year, with the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) working together on the initiative. The proposed air taxi is being designed to carry one pilot and six passengers, using seven electric motors—six for vertical lift and one at the rear for forward thrust.
Naidu also said the platform could be used for air ambulances and cargo transport in addition to passenger services.
