Subscription required

By Bjorn Fehrm

July 13, 2023, © Leeham News: We have done a deep dive series on the cost problems experienced by small airliners and how these make life difficult for alternative propulsion projects.

The eVTOL industry also faces problems, but here it’s more its own overinflated promises that rub. It’s the subject of our next deep dive.

We look at what the top OEMs promised in the past and what the reality is as they come closer to Certification.

When it comes down to it, what missions can be flown and what cannot? Are the missions that can be flown enabling a new industry?

Figure 1. The Joby production prototype as presented on 28th June. Source: Joby Aviation.

Summary:

• Investor prospects promised Total Available Markets (TAMs) as large as $500billion with flights at up to 200 miles per hour to destinations hundreds of miles away
• The reality is more profane. None of these promises hold water.