Basic Knowledge
- Q. What is an eVTOL?
- A. eVTOL stands for “electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing.” It refers to an aircraft that runs on electricity and can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. “eVTOL” is the technical term, while “flying car” is the popular name for the same kind of vehicle.
- Q. What is the difference between an eVTOL and a helicopter?
- A. The main differences are the power source and quietness. Because an eVTOL is electric and uses multiple rotors, it is expected to be quieter than an engine-powered helicopter, easier to maintain, and lower in operating cost.
- Q. What is the difference between an eVTOL and a drone?
- A. The biggest difference is that an eVTOL can carry people. An eVTOL is developed on the premise of manned flight, under the same strict safety standards as aircraft.
- Q. How many people can an eVTOL carry?
- A. It varies by aircraft, but many of the eVTOLs currently under development are designed to carry around 2 to 5 people, including the pilot.
- Q. When will eVTOLs become commercially available?
- A. Around the world, efforts are underway to achieve commercialization in the late 2020s. Adoption is expected to begin with limited routes and events, then expand in stages. In Japan, METI’s “Roadmap for the Air Mobility Revolution” (revised March 2026) indicates the aim of starting commercial operations in some areas between 2027 and 2028.
- Q. Why are eVTOLs gaining attention now?
- A. It is because they are expected to help with challenges that existing transport alone cannot easily solve, such as mobility in congested urban areas, transport for remote islands and mountainous areas, and emergency transport and the delivery of supplies during disasters.
- Q. Which countries are developing eVTOLs?
- A. Development is progressing in countries around the world, including Japan, the United States, Germany, and China.
- Q. Are eVTOLs already flying in Japan?
- A. SkyDrive conducted a demonstration flight of its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model)” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. It is currently advancing certification and infrastructure development in stages toward full-scale operation as a commercial service.
Technology & How It Works
- Q. What types of eVTOLs are there?
- A. eVTOLs come in several types: the “multicopter type” without fixed wings, the “vectored thrust type” with fixed wings and tilting propellers, and the “lift-and-cruise type” with fixed wings and separate propellers.
- Q. How does an eVTOL stay airborne?
- A. An eVTOL rises and lands vertically using the lift generated by multiple rotors. It does not need a runway and can take off and land even from small spaces.
- Q. Will eVTOLs eventually fly autonomously?
- A. Automated and autonomous operation is the goal for the future. Japan’s METI “Roadmap for the Air Mobility Revolution” (revised March 2026) includes the partial realization of automated and autonomous operation in the late 2030s.
- Q. How far can an eVTOL fly?
- A. The flight range varies depending on the type and model of eVTOL.
- Q. How long does it take to charge an eVTOL?
- A. It varies by aircraft and battery specification. Dedicated charging infrastructure and operating methods are being developed so that charging can be done efficiently between flights.
- Q. How fast can an eVTOL go?
- A. It varies by the type and model of eVTOL, but many aircraft are designed for speeds of around 100 to 300 km/h.
Safety
- Q. Are eVTOLs safe?
- A. An eVTOL can fly only after meeting the same strict safety standards as conventional aircraft (such as type certification). It is developed on the premise of multiple layers of safety measures, including redundant design and automatic control.
- Q. What is type certification, and why do eVTOLs need it?
- A. Type certification is a system in which the aviation authority certifies that an aircraft’s design meets the safety standards set by the country. It is an essential condition for eVTOLs to be put into practical use.
- Q. Which country’s or region’s approval is needed for an eVTOL to fly?
- A. Certification by the aviation authority of the country or region of operation is required. In Japan it is the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), in the United States the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and in Europe the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that handle reviews such as type certification and airworthiness certification. In every region, review and certification based on the safety standards set by each authority are required.
- Q. Can eVTOLs fly in bad weather?
- A. Safety comes first. Whether an eVTOL can fly is decided based on the weather and operating conditions at the time.
- Q. Could an eVTOL crash?
- A. No vehicle has completely zero risk, but an eVTOL’s design is premised on minimizing risk through multiple layers of safety measures, such as redundant design, automatic control, and emergency systems.
How to Use
- Q. Do I need a license to ride an eVTOL?
- A. If you use it as a passenger, no license or qualification is required. Operating it requires aviation-related qualifications.
- Q. How do I book an eVTOL?
- A. In the future, services that let you hail and book a ride via a smartphone app are envisioned. The goal is easy use like a taxi or ride-share.
- Q. Can individuals buy an eVTOL?
- A. For the time being, provision is expected to center on a service model in which you ride an eVTOL. As adoption spreads, ownership by individuals may become common, just as with cars.
- Q. Where can I board an eVTOL?
- A. You board at a dedicated take-off and landing site called a “vertiport.” Development on building rooftops, around stations, at airports, and so on is envisioned.
- Q. How much luggage can I bring on an eVTOL?
- A. It varies depending on the aircraft’s weight limit. For safe flight, the total weight, including the passenger’s body weight and luggage, is managed.
- Q. Can children and elderly people use eVTOLs?
- A. A design that a wide range of ages can use is being aimed for. Age and safety-related usage conditions are expected to be set by each operator.
- Q. Can wheelchair users ride eVTOLs?
- A. Accommodation for wheelchair users varies depending on the take-off and landing site, the aircraft structure, and the boarding support system. In future social implementation, consideration for fairness of mobility and accessibility will also be important.
- Q. How much will it cost to ride an eVTOL?
- A. The fare is determined by factors such as the aircraft, distance, frequency of operation, vertiport usage fees, insurance, and maintenance costs. Since it is currently before commercial operation for the general public, specific fares will be announced when the service starts.
Environment & Society
- Q. Are eVTOLs environmentally friendly?
- A. Because they fly on electricity, eVTOLs emit no CO2 during operation. They are expected to be a means of transport that contributes to realizing a decarbonized society.
- Q. How much noise does an eVTOL make?
- A. It varies by aircraft and flight conditions, but an eVTOL is relatively quiet thanks to its design using electric power and multiple small rotors.
- Q. How will eVTOLs change our daily lives?
- A. Once widespread, “the sky” will be added as a mobility option for things like travel in congested urban areas, transport for remote islands and mountainous areas, disaster response, and tourism.
- Q. How can eVTOLs be used during disasters?
- A. They are expected to be used for transporting supplies to areas where roads have been cut off, for access to disaster-stricken areas, and for relief activities. Because they can take off and land vertically, they have the advantage of being easy to use even in narrow spaces.
- Q. How can eVTOLs be used in healthcare?
- A. Uses such as transporting emergency patients and delivering medical supplies to remote islands and mountainous areas are expected.
- Q. How can eVTOLs be used in tourism?
- A. Aerial travel experiences, short-time travel between tourist sites, and improved access to remote islands and mountainous areas are expected.
- Q. What infrastructure do eVTOLs need to become widespread?
- A. Widespread adoption requires take-off and landing sites, charging facilities, maintenance bases, operations management, airspace rules, booking and payment systems, and more.
- Q. Will eVTOLs cause traffic congestion in the sky?
- A. To prevent air traffic congestion, operations management systems (such as UTM) that manage low-altitude traffic are being developed in parallel. By managing flight routes and altitudes, safe operation is achieved.
About SkyDrive
- Q. What is SkyDrive?
- A. SkyDrive is a Japanese company established in July 2018. With the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” SkyDrive develops compact eVTOLs to realize a future that “uses the sky for everyday mobility.” At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the company conducted a demonstration flight of its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model).”
- Q. What are the features of SkyDrive’s eVTOL?
- A. “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model)” is a three-seat aircraft (one pilot and two passengers) measuring approximately 11.5 m in length, approximately 11.3 m in width, and approximately 3 m in height (including the rotors). It is a pure eVTOL—it does not drive on roads—and is an electric, environmentally friendly form of mobility that can take off and land even in limited spaces such as building rooftops.
- Q. How far can SkyDrive’s eVTOL fly?
- A. The flight range of “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model)” is 15 to 40 km. The actual operating distance changes depending on weather, number of occupants, route, and operating conditions.
- Q. What is the top speed of SkyDrive’s eVTOL?
- A. The maximum cruising speed of “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model)” is 100 km/h (airspeed).
- Q. What certifications is SkyDrive’s eVTOL aiming to obtain?
- A. SkyDrive is simultaneously pursuing type certification activities with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the U.S. FAA. After obtaining type certification in Japan, it aims to obtain certification promptly in the United States as well.
- Q. How much quieter is SkyDrive’s eVTOL than a helicopter?
- A. The perceived noise on the ground of “SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model)” is one-third or less that of a helicopter.
