Imagine flying from Pune to Rajgad in 15 minutes, or from Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling in 10 min.

With the right partnerships between tourism boards, aviation startups, and local governments, eVTOLs could unlock a new era of sustainable, high-speed hill tourism.

India’s eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) revolution is rapidly emerging as the next transformative leap in mobility – right on the heels of the EV boom.

What Is eVTOL?

eVTOL aircraft are…

electric-powered flying vehicles that take off and land vertically, much like helicopters, but with quieter operation, lower emissions, and significantly reduced operating costs. Their compact design and agility make them ideal for congested urban environments.

Most of the eVTOL company are in testing phase. Some have place for 2 passengers while others have up to 6 passengers.

The longest range achieved is 250.3 kilometers (155.5 miles), set by AutoFlight’s Prosperity I aircraft on February 23, 2023, in China. While the highest altitude achieved is 7,000 feet, set by Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft during a test flight in September 2025.

India, with its dense cities and hilly tourist spots, is a prime candidate for eVTOL adoption. The government and private players are already laying the groundwork for this revolution.

The infamous Traffic-jam of Bengaluru where to travel 2kms could take 2 hours in peak hours is the perfect City to roll out eVTOLs.

Some eVTOL Companies & Startups in India:

1. Sarla Aviation (India-wide)

• Creator of “Shunya,” India’s first indigenous flying taxi.
• Offers 6-seater and 4-seater configurations with luggage space and hybrid-electric propulsion.
• Targeting commercial rollout with airport shuttles, cargo, and ambulance variants.

2. The ePlane Company (Chennai)

• Founded by aerospace professor Satya Chakravarthy from IIT Madras.
• Focused on compact, cost-efficient eVTOLs for urban air mobility.
• Received design organization approval from DGCA for aircraft up to 19 seats.

3. BluJ Aero

• Founded: 2022 by Amardeep Sri Vatsavaya (CEO) and Uttam Kumar Dharamapuri (CTO), alumni of JNTU Hyderabad.
• Headquarters: Nadargul, Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Mission: To revolutionize regional air mobility using hydrogen-electric powered eVTOL aircraft.
• Propulsion: Initially powered by lithium-ion batteries; developing proprietary hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emission flights.
• Cater to sectors: Cargo, Passenger & Defence

Is eVTOL fare cheaper than Airfare?

eVTOLs are not only silent but it is also more economical:

• eVTOLs use electric propulsion, which is cheaper and cleaner than jet fuel.
• Maintenance is simpler due to fewer moving parts compared to traditional aircraft.
• Sarla Aviation aims to price rides comparable to high-end taxi services, not traditional airfare. This could mean ₹1,000–₹2,000 per ride for short hops—far cheaper than domestic flights for similar distances.

• As fleet sizes grow and battery tech improves, per-seat costs will drop, making eVTOLs viable for mass adoption.
• Reduced infrastructure needs (no runways, minimal terminals) also cut overhead.

India’s eVTOL ecosystem is buzzing with innovation, and several startups and companies are actively developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban mobility, cargo, and emergency services. Here are some of the key players:

India’s eVTOL Timeline:

India’s eVTOL timeline is ambitious and promising:

• 2025: Unveiling of prototypes like Shunya and aerWing.
• 2026: Trial operations in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.
• 2028: Full-scale commercial rollout across major cities, with Sarla Aviation targeting national deployment.

India’s eVTOL revolution isn’t just about flying cars—it’s about democratizing air travel, reducing carbon footprints, and leapfrogging infrastructure bottlenecks.

By 2030, hopping across cities in electric air taxis could be as routine as booking a cab.

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo, expressed interest in eVTOLs by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Archer Aviation to launch all-electric air taxi services in India by 2026