United Airlines has announced a $15 million investment with Eve Air Mobility as well as a conditional purchase for 200 four-seat electric aircraft, with options for another 200 aircraft. The first deliveries are expected to begin by 2026.
With this deal, United has become the first major airline to invest in two major electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft development ventures. Just last month, United solidified its order with Archer, signed in February 2021 for 100 eVTOLs, with a $10 million pre-delivery payment to the California-based eVTOL company.
Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, said: “United has made early investments in several cutting-edge technologies at all levels of the supply chain, staking out our position as a leader in aviation sustainability and innovation. Today, United is making history again, by becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies. Our agreement with Eve highlights our confidence in the urban air mobility market and serves as another important benchmark toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – without using traditional offsets. Together, we believe our suite of clean energy technologies will revolutionize air travel as we know it and serve as the catalyst for the aviation industry to move toward a sustainable future.”
United’s investment in Eve has been driven in part by confidence in the potential growth opportunities in the UAM market, according to the official announcement. But more so, United commented that it was also driven by Eve’s relationship with Embraer, a proven aircraft manufacturer, which will also include access to Embraer’s service centres, parts warehouses and field service technicians, paving the way for a reliable operation. Upon entry into service, United could have its entire eVTOL fleet serviced by Eve’s agnostic service and support operations. Moreover, United joins the consortium led by Eve, which will simulate UAM operations in Chicago from September 12.
Eve’s eVTOL aircraft design uses conventional fixed wings, rotors and pushers, giving it a practical and intuitive lift-plus-cruise design, which the company states “favours safety, efficiency, reliability and certifiability”. The aircraft will have a range of 60 miles (100 km). Eve is also creating a new air traffic management solution designed for the UAM industry to scale safely.
Thrilled about the new agreement with United, Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve said: “United’s investment in Eve reinforces the trust in our products and services and strengthens our position in the North American market. I am confident that our UAM agnostic solutions, coupled with the global know-how we have been developing at Eve and Embraer’s heritage, are the best fit for this initiative, giving United’s customers a quick, economical, and sustainable way to get to its hub airports and commute in dense urban environments. It is an unparalleled opportunity to work with United to advance the US UAM ecosystem, and we look forward to it.”
As per the agreement, United and Eve will work on projects including studies on the development, use, and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.