India's e-VTOL Push Is Gaining Steam. Will It Face Policy Turbulence?

But every cloud has a silver lining.  

Amid the swarm of ideas, high-level deliberations, and exhibitions at the summit, a pioneering and futuristic innovation went largely overlooked: India's first AI-powered air taxi was revealed. ePlane Company, in collaboration with IIT-Madras, is developing this indigenous, first-of-its-kind electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (e-VTOL) aircraft. 

Is This A Solution To Traffic Snarls?

Perhaps, e-VTOL aircraft may finally solve, or at least significantly alleviate, the traffic congestion on Indian roads. 

Various states have already entered the race to build the largest e-VTOL hub in India. While Andhra Pradesh has partnered with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation to build ‘Sky Factory’ – a ₹1,300 crore electric air taxi manufacturing plant in Anantapur, the e-Plane Company announced the opening of its state-of-the-art prototyping and testing facility for e-VTOL at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

As the air mobility sector grows swiftly, driven primarily by e-VTOL technology adoption, a comprehensive national regulatory framework has become a prerequisite. 

AAM Regulatory Framework

Currently, India complies with the regulatory framework for advanced air mobility (AAM), formulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialised UN agency.

The ICAO framework for AAM establishes a global policy framework for integrating AAM into existing civil aviation systems. It also provides guidance for certification and airworthiness standards for new aircraft types such as eVTOLs. Further, it defines operational concepts for low-altitude urban and regional air mobility operations and also establishes safety, security, environmental, and infrastructure considerations for AAM deployment

"We have a set of guidelines as well to abide by for air mobility. Since the sector is still in the nascent stages, it is not required now to formulate a regulatory framework. Once the first set of e-VTOL aircrafts are made, the policy would also be set in place — on par or beyond the ICAO guidelines," the senior official with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), told The Secretariat.

Once we have the required technology in place, we will go ahead and implement the regulatory framework needed

— A senior DGCA official

Since e-VTOL aircraft can double up as air taxis and electric air ambulances, it is billed as a "game-changer" in the mobility sector, and is poised to revolutionise urban mobility and emergency medical services. An e-VTOL aircraft is an electrically powered aircraft designed to take off and land vertically, enhancing the urban air mobility (UAM) sector.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Sector

e-VTOLs are the primary vehicle technology enabling the AAM ecosystem. They are expected to be available in limited commercial operations by next year, subject to clearance certification from the authorities concerned.

But once e-VTOL aircraft take to the airspace, what policy frameworks will serve as the regulatory system for the sector?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is aggressively pushing for a dedicated regulatory framework (aligning with ICAO standards) for the UAM sector, particularly to facilitate the smooth scaling and operations of e-VTOLs, which are closely interconnected with unmanned traffic management (UTM) — the foundational digital ecosystem that enables safe and efficient AAM operations.    

Air Taxis, Medical eVTOL

The underlying aircraft and subsystems are the same for air taxis and medical eVTOLs. However, the difference lies in the passenger cabin layout and equipment. The air-ambulance variant will have a stretcher and a seat for the paramedic, while the air-taxi variant will have two seats at the rear. The air-cargo variant will have space with pallet mounts to secure cargo.

India is among the 193 ICAO member states leading in developing regulatory frameworks, as per the ICAO guidelines. Currently, the EU provides the most comprehensive framework for vertiport design specifications and eVTOL noise certification standards.

As of now, the authorities concerned are working towards facilitating the “interoperability” of the airspace by both AAM and manned aviation so that the regulatory framework becomes intact across sectors.

Adequate technology, scalability, and viability remain the major concerns, as e-VTOLs are intended to compete with high-end cabs, with projected flight costs of around ₹1,700–₹3,500 for short city trips.

According to official sources, e-VTOLs will be launched on a pilot basis. Initially, it will be a hybrid model, and, based on the outcome, it will be converted to a fully electric fleet.

First Fleet Of e-VTOLs

By 2030, the first fleet of e-VTOLs is likely to be made fully operational.

e-VTOLs are primarily developed, manufactured, and operated by private entities, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation regulates the urban mobility sector and the DGCA facilitates the certification process.

Currently, the certification process is underway for the design and feasibility of ePlane Company's e-VTOL. Will it be a game-changer, revolutionising the urban mobility sector?

It’s both a yes and a no, according to officials. "The cost factor is the sore spot. Further, scalability would also pose a challenge in the long run," says another official.