AVIATION
Erstes voll-elektrisches Flugtaxi der Welt
May 16, 2019 -
Das deutsche Start-up Lilium stellte das erste, voll-elektrische "Flugtaxi" der Welt vor. Das Unternehmen will das emissionsfreie Gerät bereits 2025 als on-demand Flugtaxi in Betrieb nehmen und damit Fahrten in urbanen Gebieten revolutionieren.
The jet, powered by 36 all-electric engines, will be capable of travelling up to 300km in just 60 minutes — cutting down on travelling times across congested cities or regions.
With five seats, including the pilot, it will be able to offer a taxi service for groups or small families, offering a serious alternative to road travel.
The jet, which takes off and lands vertically but then moves into horizontal flight, completed its maiden flight over Germany this month.
Lilium is not alone in developing urban air mobility vehicles. Uber and Kitty Hawk are also looking at launching an electric-powered flying taxi service, while aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus, are investing in hybrid-electric propulsion systems.
- Air taxi aimed at revolutionising urban travel unveiled (FT)
- Lilium jet
- Liliums 36-motor flying taxi takes off for the first time (Wired)
- Lilium Flies Full-Scale Prototype Of Powerful Electric Air Taxi (Forbes)
- Electric air taxi startup Lilium completes first test of its new five-seater aircraft (The Verge)