Manufacturers betting on futuristic air taxis amid push for sustainable travel

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. aviation / ˌeɪ viˈeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the business or practice of flying, designing, and producing air vehicles, like helicopters and airplanes
    Example:

    Many young people dream of pursuing a career in aviation as pilots or plane engineers.


  2. regulatory / ˈrɛg yə ləˌtɔr i / (adj.) – relating to the activity of making and applying laws or rules to control behavior in a certain area, like business or safety
    Example:

    The regulatory agency ensures that businesses follow fair practices in the market.


  3. advancement / ædˈvæns mənt / (n.) – an improvement or development in a particular field or aspect
    Example:

    Technological advancements in self-driving cars are expected to improve transportation systems, making them safer and more efficient.


  4. take a punt on (something) / teɪk ə pʌnt ɒn / (idiom) – to invest a significant amount of money, time, or resources in something, highly expecting its success
    Example:

    Despite the uncertainty, he’s taking a punt on starting his own business.


  5. congested / kənˈdʒɛs tɪd / (adj.) – very crowded, filled, or blocked, often referring to a space, road, or area where there is too much of something present
    Example:

    The streets were congested with cars during rush hour, causing delays for commuters.


Article

Read the text below.

As the aviation sector tries to make flying more sustainable, some aerospace companies are betting big on a new form of travel—air taxis.


For years, electric-powered air taxis have been considered as an option to reduce emissions in cities and the carbon footprint of the aviation industry. However, the limitations of battery life and regulatory hurdles have prevented the technology from taking flight.


Big mobility players are, however, now entering the market thanks to falling battery prices and technological advancements.


Hyundai’s advanced air mobility unit Supernal and Embraer-backed Eve Air Mobility hope to officially launch electric-powered air taxis within the next two to four years.


“Ground transportation is also evolving and improving,” says Supernal CEO Shin Jaiwon. “But to support all the mobility demand of that many people in urban areas, ground transportation will not be sufficient. So, we have to open the sky.”


Supernal’s S-A2 electric aircraft, equipped with eight rotors, is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers. The battery-powered air taxi will have a range of about 25 to 40 miles and will be able to take off and land vertically. It’s similar to a helicopter but should be significantly quieter and more sustainable, according to Shin.


The firm is planning to test a full-scale version of the vehicle this year and is talking to regulators in various countries to discuss policy, processes as well as certification issues.


Brazilian firm Eve Air Mobility, a spin-off of the third largest aircraft manufacturer Embraer, is also taking a punt on air taxis. They are testing and developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft which the firm hopes to launch by 2026. Like Supernal’s S-A2, the Eve Air Mobility’s aircraft is also expected to carry between four to six passengers with a range of 60 miles, without generating any local carbon emissions.


Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility, says that these electric-powered aircraft have potential not just in urban cities that are heavily congested but also in areas where public transport is not as widespread or efficient.


Although the technology is advancing rapidly, some experts are warning that the regulatory hurdles haven’t gone away.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Supernal CEO Shin Jaiwon says that ground transportation is not sufficient to support all the mobility demands of that many people in urban areas, so we have to open the sky. Do you believe electric-powered air taxis are a practical solution to decongest urban areas? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Would you want your city to have air taxis? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Some experts are warning that the regulatory hurdles haven’t gone away for Supernal. What challenges do you think they might face in terms of regulatory approval (ex. there are no rules about sky traffic yet, safety concerns)? Discuss.
  • Companies are planning to launch their air taxis within the next two to four years. Given this timeline, what do you think urban cities will look like in the near future? Do you like those changes? Why or why not? Discuss.