2023.11.10
Hyundai Motor Group to Build Flying Electric Taxi Plant in the U.S.
EconoTimes - Hyundai
Motor Group has announced plans to construct a flying electric taxi plant in
the United States. It is determined to revolutionize urban mobility with its
electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The South Korean
automotive group is aiming to bring flying cars to the market by 2028,
according to KED Global.
Unveiling the
Facility Construction Plan
Reuters noted that this marks the first time the carmaker has revealed a facility construction plan for its eVTOL aircraft. Although specific details about the location and investment size were not provided, Hyundai Motor Group is making significant strides toward turning its ambitious vision into a reality.
Last month, Hyundai
Motor Group, including Kia Corp., showcased the concept model of their eVTOL
craft at Seoul ADEX 2023. The aircraft, currently under development by their
urban air mobility (UAM) unit Supernal LLC, promises to reshape the future of
transportation.
In January next
year, Supernal will unveil its prototype at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Shin
Jai-won, president of Hyundai Motor Group and chief executive of Supernal,
shared during an interview with Bloomberg that this milestone event will
demonstrate their commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Impressive Speed and
Passenger Capacity
Supernal's eVTOL taxi is designed to fly at a maximum speed of 190 kilometers per hour. With the capacity to accommodate one pilot and four passengers, this aerial mobility solution offers both speed and convenience for urban travel.
Hyundai Motor Group
aims to test-fly the eVTOL taxi in December 2024. Following the successful test
flight, the commercial launch is expected to take approximately four years. The
timeline accounts for advancements in battery technology development, infrastructure
integration, and the need for appropriate regulations to govern the operation
of flying cars.
The secret to the
eVTOL aircraft's commercialization lies in developing lightweight batteries
capable of supporting stable flight for extended durations. The battery, which
accounts for up to 40% of the aircraft's weight when flying at an altitude of
500 meters or below, presents a significant engineering challenge for the
Supernal team.
Navigating
Certification and Regulation
According to reports, Supernal plans to submit an application to the US Federal Aviation Administration in the coming months to obtain eVTOL certification. Overcoming regulatory hurdles and ensuring compliance with safety standards will be crucial as Hyundai Motor Group paves the way for a new era of personal aviation.
With Hyundai's
factory in Alabama and Kia's plant in Georgia, the South Korean automotive
group is strategically positioned to capitalize on its existing manufacturing
capabilities. Leveraging their production facilities will aid in expediting the
development and deployment of eVTOL aircraft in the US market.
Source: https://www.econotimes.com/Hyundai-Motor-Group-to-Build-Flying-Electric-Taxi-Plant-in-the-US-1665779