First Electric Air Taxi Takes to the Skies over New York
If you’ve ever been to New York, you’ll know that trying to get anywhere fast in a taxi can be a challenge. But that could all be about to change.
Sky cabs are being introduced in the Big Apple and the first electric air taxi took to the skies on 12th November.
By 2025, it’s expected that people will be able to travel from JFK Airport to Downtown Manhattan in seven minutes. The same journey in a car could take about 50 minutes.
Joby Aviation carried out the first electric air taxi flight at the Downton Manhattan Heliport. It also marks the first time that the air taxi has flown in an urban setting.
How do sky cabs work?
Joby’s electric air taxi is the culmination of 10 years of development. It’s powered by six electric motors, emitting zero emissions.
The aircraft can take off and land vertically meaning it can easily serve communities without the need to build runways.
Years of development have also gone into making their air taxi quiet enough for passengers onboard and to land in urban areas. Unlike a helicopter, passengers will be able to relax and have a conversation without the need to wear a headset.
Charging time is also quick at around five minutes. The ideal amount of time for passengers to board and leave the sky taxi.
How much will a flying taxi ride cost?
It’s not been confirmed how much a ride in a flying taxi will cost. However, in 2021 Joby estimated that prices would be comparable to ridesharing apps at around $3 per mile.
Are air taxis the future of the taxi industry?
While New York might be the first city in the US to trial sky cabs, other cities across the globe are also looking to the future of taxi travel.
Earlier this year, Dubai announced plans to operate air taxis from as early as 2026. The UK Government is also spending £9m on research into flying taxis in London.
It’s hoped that air taxis will relieve congestion on roads and provide passengers with affordable, efficient ways to travel.
Sky taxis are ideal for travelling between major cities. Joby’s aircraft can carry up to four passengers with a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge and top speeds of 200mph.
It could be some time before we see sky cabs fully take off. Infrastructure will need to be rolled out to support the arrival of air taxis.
In 2022, the world’s first hub for flying taxis opened in Coventry. Air-One showcased how sky cabs can lower congestion and improve air quality.
While flying taxis aren’t currently available in the UK, at The Taxi Centre we offer a wide range of new taxis for sale. We stock a range of industry-leading manufacturers including Skoda, Toyota, and Kia.
Contact us today to discover the right taxi for your needs and learn more about our taxi finance options.