Eve unveils initial eVTOL prototype with five conforming models to follow
Eve Air Mobility has unveiled its first full-scale prototype, dubbed the ‘Eve 100,’ which will inform the company’s upcoming flight tests ahead of five conforming aircraft expected to continue the upcoming flight test campaign from the end of this year.
The full-scale prototype aircraft – first unveiled via an internal company rollout a couple of weeks ago – features eight propellers for VTOL flight with one pusher propeller at the rear of the aircraft, powered by a total of nine motors, and skids instead of landing gear. A 15m wingspan will enable the aircraft to operate from existing rotorcraft infrastructure, pending the development of dedicated vertiports in service.
Testing will initially be uncrewed (with this aircraft only able to accommodate remotely piloted operations) revealed Eve CEO Johann Bordais, with the campaign to commence this year under experimental ANAC permission. (Notably, as the initial prototype is not necessary indicative of the final configuration, development flight tests will not serve for certification credit). Eve is also considering other evaluation methods for piloted elements, including assessing the human-machine-interface insights gained by the initial campaign.
Meanwhile, construction of the initial conforming prototype is slated to commence this year at Embraer’s test facility in Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo State. Italian company ASE will supply the power distribution system while Diehl Aviation will be responsible for the interior. These two announcements complete Eve’s list of suppliers (with the exception of off-the-shelf items).
“Cabin flexibility is something you must have,” stressed Bordais, who cites Embraer’s intention as delivering a useful payload – with end users then able to optimise the aircraft for their own mission, be it sightseeing, cargo applications or medevac; namely, “anyone who really wants to go for this”. The initial seating configuration will initially be two forward-facing rows of two passengers, although a club four could also be considered, potentially via a supplemental type certificate.
Earlier this year, Eve completed an additional $1.6 million capital raise (augmenting its previous total of $94 million, “proof that if there’s one company to deliver a solution, Eve is one of them,” said Bordais. Eve’s total pre-order book value (encompassing aircraft, vector and service pre-deals) stands at around $14.5 billion, with the company fully funded up until 2027.
Although no aircraft pre-delivery payments have been made to date, some refundable deposits have been made for the some 2,900 LOI pre-orders (representing a “mature need” among customers). “It’s not like we need this money right now to move forward with development of the product,” revealed Bordais, who nevertheless added that the conversion from LOIs to firm orders would help enable upcoming infrastructure implementation. “We’re in a comfortable position whatever happens,” he concluded. “Do we need new LOIs? Maybe – but this is an obligation to deliver”.
