The world of aviation is constantly evolving, and one of the most exciting developments in recent years is the emergence of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs. These aircraft, powered by electric motors and batteries, offer several benefits over traditional airplanes.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the critical benefits of eVTOLs and how they are advancing technology in the aviation industry.
How eVTOL is Advancing Technology
eVTOLs are aircraft that use electric propulsion to take off and land vertically (meaning they do not need the runway or infrastructure that a traditional airplane needs to operate fully). This technology has the potential to revolutionize aviation by making it more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.
Specific ways eVTOL is advancing aviation are:
- Reducing the need for large runway infrastructure: eVTOL aircraft can take off and land in smaller spaces, making it possible to operate from more locations, like in urban and suburban areas.
- Improving energy efficiency: Electric propulsion and electric motors are more efficient than traditional gasoline or jet fuel engines, which can significantly save fuel costs. For example, an electric motor, particularly one built with high-induction soft magnetic alloys and stacks, has a higher power-to-weight ratio, which means that eVTOL aircraft are highly efficient during the power intensive take-off hover, climb, descent and landing hover phases.
- Enabling new types of travel: eVTOL aircraft can make point-to-point air travel within urban areas a reality. They combine the best attributes of helicopters and airplanes (vertical lift and winged flight) into an ideal design for 20 - 50 mile flights.
However, eVTOL technology is still in the early stages of development and commercialization, with the potential for many more advances. That being said, the electrification of the aviation industry is evident and not slowing down, which is fortunate, considering the many benefits of eVTOL and eVTOL parts.
Five Benefits of Using eVTOL Parts
One of the most highly-touted benefits of using eVTOL parts is that they are significantly lighter than traditional aircraft parts, which reduces the aircraft's weight, helping to improve its efficiency — and more. This also means that eVTOL aircraft can carry more passengers or cargo, an advantage for commercializing eVTOL aircraft.
Additional benefits of eVTOL aircraft and their parts include:
- Zero emissions: As noted, eVTOL aircraft are electric, which means they do not produce any carbon emissions during flight. This makes them more environmentally friendly than conventional aircraft that rely on fossil fuels.
- Lower operating costs: Electric motors are less complex and require less maintenance than traditional internal combustion engines. This, combined with their improved energy efficiency mentioned earlier, results in lower operating costs for eVTOL aircraft.
- Quieter operation: Electric motors are much quieter than traditional aircraft engines, and the distributed propulsion architecture in eVTOLs uses smaller propellers which make considerably less noise as compared with a large helicopter rotor. Their quiet operation makes eVTOL aircraft more suitable for use in populated areas.
- Greater design flexibility: eVTOL aircraft can be designed in a wide range of shapes and sizes, as the need for a tail-mounted engine does not limit the propulsion system.
- Safety: eVTOL aircraft can be designed to have multiple independent motors to ensure safety in the event that one fails.
- Fast charging: The industry is working on technology that will enable fast charging within the planned 5 minutes it takes to load a 4 passenger air taxi.
eVTOL Use Cases and Examples
eVTOL aircraft are suitable for various applications, including urban air mobility, cargo delivery, and long-distance travel. eVTOL aircraft today are being developed for uses cases such as:
- Urban air mobility: Companies such as Uber and Joby Aviation are developing eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility, allowing passengers to travel within cities in a matter of minutes — reducing traffic congestion and travel time.
- Airport taxi services: eVTOL aircraft can quickly transport passengers from airports to nearby locations, saving people valuable time when traveling to and from meetings.
- Cargo delivery: Because they do not require the same runway as their traditional counterparts, eVTOL aircraft are also suitable for cargo and package delivery, in particular within the so-called "middle mile.”
- Emergency response: eVTOLs can quickly reach difficult-to-access areas, making them a viable option for emergency medical, natural disaster, or search and rescue services.
As you can see, eVTOLs offer many benefits over traditional aircraft. They are environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective, making them ideal for an array of applications. With technological advancements, we can expect to see more eVTOLs in the skies soon. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, eVTOLs will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of air travel.
With the right materials, such as our industry-leading soft magnetic alloys and stacks, you can further optimize the performance of electric aircraft. If you’re ready to revolutionize flight, our team is here. We can help address your motor design needs for current and future electric airplanes and eVTOLs. Request a custom quote here.