By Rodrigo Viga
Embraer is expected to launch the first flying car in Brazil by 2026.
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has already released R$490 million (US$97.9 million) for the project.
The vehicle’s name is eVTOL, developed by Embraer-X, the company’s high-technology arm.
The project has partners from various areas and segments.
According to the CEO of Embraer-X, Daniel Moczydlower, the first eVTOL flights should occur between 2026 and 2027.
The aircraft has autonomy for 15 minutes, enough time to travel from Campinas to São Paulo, for example.
Initially, the aircraft should hold four passengers and one pilot.
However, six passengers will be carried in the future, with no pilot on board.
Initially, each ticket should cost between US$50 and US$100, but with learning and increased scale, the fare should become cheaper and more affordable.
The project’s target is the middle class of the big metropolises in Brazil and worldwide.
“It is a project designed to be accessible.”
“We want to set a price range that everyone, who today can afford an Uber ride anywhere in the world, can afford an individual flight. It is for the middle class,” says Daniel.
According to Embraer-X, the potential demand is around 2,770 aircraft, which could generate US$8 billion.
With information from Jovem Pan