A new air taxi company is on a mission to become the ‘Uber of the skies’.
Electron Aviation plans to launch a ‘sky-hailing service’ with a fleet of 186mph (300kph) battery-electric air taxis in Holland and the UK in 2027.
If it all goes to plan, the electric taxi service will offer a ‘personalised and efficient’ mode of transport at an ‘affordable price’ – and an ‘electrifying journey through the skies’.
Called the ‘Electron 5′, the single-pilot air taxi is designed to transport four passengers over 500km (311 miles) – cruising at 10,000ft (3,048m) – on a single battery charge and with zero direct CO2 emissions.
Electron Aviation plans to launch its first electric air taxis in Holland in 2027, before taking its ‘sky-hailing service’ to the UK
The aircraft, called the ‘Electron 5’, is said to offer travellers an ‘electrifying journey through the skies’
The single-pilot battery-electric aircraft is said to be capable of transporting four passengers over 500km (311 miles) on a single battery charge and with zero direct CO2 emissions
The Dutch company says its fleet of aircraft will launch in Enschede Airport Twente and Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands.
Flight times between London and the Netherlands would be around two hours, though a UK hub has yet to be determined.
Looking at the long term, the start-up predicts that the ‘Electron 5’ will be able to utilise 75 per cent of Europe’s airports, ‘bringing dozens of new direct destinations within reach at a far lower cost versus traditional jet aircraft’.
How will the taxi service work? The company says that travellers will be able to book a trip through an app, travel to their local air taxi hub and board their private air taxi.
Initially, ticket prices will be similar to the price of a business class seat, but the company says it plans to bring those prices down to economy class levels within five years of operation.
The aircraft is said to feature ‘panoramic’ windows and ‘seats like in a luxury sports car’ with USB ports and foldable tables
What will the flying experience be like? It’s said the aircraft will feature ‘panoramic’ windows and ‘seats like in a luxury sports car’ with USB ports and foldable tables.
The company – which was founded in 2021 – is currently working on the second version of the cabin mock-up and one scale model has already been built, though the engineering team is still in the preliminary design phase. It predicts that the first aircraft will be completed by 2025.
Electron Aviation says it is carrying out the aircraft design and manufacturing in mainland Europe, adhering to the regulatory framework of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
A statement says: ‘Prepare for a revolution in regional air travel, where convenience, sustainability, and affordability go hand in hand.’
The ‘sky-hailing service’ is billed as a ‘personalised and efficient’ way to travel
Initially, ticket prices will be similar to the price of a business-class seat, the company reveals
Josef Mouris, who formerly worked as a pilot for the airline Flybe, is the company’s CEO and co-founder, along with his business partner Marc-Henry de Jong.
Mouris said in a statement: ‘Flying itself isn’t bad… it’s the archaic way we burn fossil fuels that’s the problem.
‘By embracing electric planes powered by renewable energy, we can ensure that our children, just like my two daughters, will enjoy travel without sacrificing our planet’s well-being. It’s time to redefine air travel and make it an incredible experience for generations to come!’
Touching on why the company plans to have a fleet of battery-electric aircraft, he added: ‘Firstly, [the aircraft] delivers on our goal of zero direct CO2 emissions. Secondly, it offers the lowest operating costs, which will allow us to eventually match the price of an economy-class ticket and in other countries even train tickets.’
Earlier this year, Mouris and the CEO of Twente Airport signed a Letter of Intent for Electron Aviation to start operating zero-emission flights from Enschede Airport Twente in 2027. For more information, visit flyelectron.eu.