Air taxis have been staple of science fiction stories for decades and decades, but leaps in technology over the years means that the future is now and – later this year – an actual flying taxi cabs may be seen soaring across New York’s City’s skyline.
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts by Joby Aviation will provide enough space for a pilot and up to four passengers, with the quiet, zero-emission vehicles initially set to cost riders about $3 to $6 dollars per mile for each trip. For an example, it would cost approximately $200 for a flight from NYC to John F. Kennedy Airport.
However, as more of their taxis become available and the technology continues to evolve, Joby Aviation’s stated goal is to make rides more affordable, with the eventual goal being a $1 per mile price point.
The electric motors powering each eVTOL will enable speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and will have a range of about 150 miles per battery charge. No major infrastructure investment will be needed, as Joby Aviation will be making use of existing helipads for take-offs and landings.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, noted that the company has already conducted test flights in NYC and is currently in the process of acquiring the needed FAA certifications to conduct business.
“New York has always been a city that defines the future by demanding better,” he said. “We first flew here in 2023, and now we’re showing what the next chapter looks like: a quiet, zero operating emissions air taxi service designed to better serve New Yorkers. This week, flying between JFK and Manhattan, we showed what the White House-backed eIPP initiative makes possible and offered New York a look at what’s coming.“
Kevin O’Toole, the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said that the air taxis will be a major boon to the city, which for years has had to deal with major traffic congestion.
“The bridges, tunnels, airports, and rail lines that the Port Authority operates move hundreds of millions of people through this region every year, and our job is to make sure that network keeps pace with the future,” he said. “This cutting-edge aircraft is exactly the kind of innovation we have a responsibility to test, understand, and help shape for the good of the region and the public. These flights advance our work to determine how next-generation aviation technology can serve the people of New York and New Jersey.”
