Electric Vertical Aircraft (EVA)
BLADE Urban Air Mobility is a technology-powered, short-distance aviation company committed to reducing travel friction by enabling cost-effective air transportation alternatives to some of the most congested ground routes in the U.S. and abroad.
No company flies more people in and out of city centers than BLADE.
Our goal is to make aviation more accessible by preparing for the adoption of EVA (Electric Vertical Aircraft). Quiet, carbon-neutral and cost-effective electric aircraft are currently being developed and flown by our investors and partners today.
On February 14, 2023, BLADE completed a historic Electric Vertical Aircraft flight in New York, in partnership with BETA Technologies, marking a very important step to enable the rapid introduction of EVA into BLADE's New York and short-distance businesses.
Electric motors allow an aircraft to land like a helicopter, cruise like a plane, quietly. Quiet is a key innovation of EVA. Reducing noise, emissions, and cost will help bring urban air mobility to more people in more places.
Countries like New Zealand, Singapore, China and the United Arab Emirates have already started testing experimental EVA designs. The first production certified EVAs will be piloted to start but will eventually transition to autonomous operations. These aircraft will coexist with other helicopters and heliports, making moving goods more efficient and commutes shorter.
Advancements in computer-aided fly-by-wire control and highly redundant distributed electric propulsion make EVA aircraft safer to fly. Manufacturers like BETA Technologies, Airbus, Boeing, Lilium and Joby Aviation are all actively developing electric aircraft. BLADE hopes to be the first and largest U.S. company to fly cargo and passengers using EVA technology.
BLADE is an integral part of this urban mobility revolution and we invite you to fly the future today.
EVA in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has recently announced their Urban Air Mobility Partnership–– an initiative that will help shape Los Angeles as a key player in the electric vertical mobility race.
The city is undeniably a car city, but we’d like to see Angelenos take to the air. Mayor Garcetti, the City, and the Department of Transportation have partnered with Urban Movement Labs and Hyundai to bring urban air mobility to Los Angeles.
Electric Vertical Aircraft (EVA) or eVTOLs are flying now and will bring point-to-point, quiet, safe, emission-free flight to cities across the world. BLADE has projected certification by 2025, with some aircraft certified as soon as 2023. Many aircraft manufacturers, and some major automakers like GM and Hyundai (Supernal) are working on Electric Aircraft designs.
Automakers see the opportunity to use batteries and technology they have developed for ground-based electric vehicles for aircraft. BLADE welcomes earlier certification and adoption and are excited to see more great companies joining the race to build electric aircraft. BLADE already flies to our Downtown LA / Staples center helipad and welcome building new vertiports connecting Los Angeles. By doing so, we can connect all of greater Los Angeles by air and all we need is more places to land. Electrification will make flying quieter, safer, greener, and more affordable.
BLADE Secures Up to 20 BETA Technologies Electric Vertical Aircraft for Delivery in 2024 (4/13/21 Press Release)
● Selected BLADE operators to receive the first passenger configured BETA aircraft in 2024
● BLADE’s asset-light business model leverages its strong flight volume and third-party
financing relationships to facilitate the purchase of BETA’s ALIA Electric Vertical Aircraft
by BLADE’s network of operators
● BETA will provide and install charging infrastructure at BLADE’s key terminal locations to
enable their use for quiet, emission-free urban air mobility services