Eve secures additional funding and partners for eVTOL program

The Eve aircraft features a U-shaped empennage with eight sets of motors and propellers for vertical flight, as well as a fixed wing and an electric pusher prop for cruise flight. Unlike some other eVTOL designs, neither the propulsion units nor the wing tilt during transitions between vertical and horizontal flight.

Eve’s chief technology officer Luiz Valentini acknowledged that meeting the target to start flight testing this year posed “a big challenge” for his team. While the first prototype matches production model dimensions, it is not production-conforming.

The company aims to start building its first conforming prototype at Embraer’s São José dos Campos facility by late 2024. By early 2026, it plans to have five such prototypes available for flight testing to earn type certification credits.

Eve reported having agreements with 22 different suppliers since June 2023's Paris Airshow. Germany-based Diehl Aviation will design the eVTOL vehicle’s cabin interior for various applications including air taxi services, freight deliveries, and emergency medical support. ASE will develop primary power distribution systems for both high and low voltages along with a high voltage converter connecting these systems.

Eve holds letters of intent for 2,900 battery-electric eVTOL aircraft expected to operate on routes up to approximately 52 nautical miles. So far, 30 prospective operators plan operations in multiple locations worldwide. The manufacturer will support these customers through service centers in 12 locations across eight countries and has signed 16 customers for its Vector urban air traffic management system.