India's First Electric Air Taxi To Launch In 2027: Travel 30 KM In Just 10 Minutes
The ePlane Company, founded by Prof. Chakravarthy along with his student Pranjal Mehta, is building compact electric aircraft designed for passenger and medical uses.
Published : October 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM IST
Chennai: India’s first electric air taxi service is expected to take off by mid-2027, according to Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, founder of The ePlane Company and faculty member at IIT Madras’ Department of Aeronautical Engineering.
By Ravichandran
With road traffic becoming increasingly congested, short-distance electric aircraft are being developed as an alternative for rapid urban transport. The ePlane Company, founded by Prof. Chakravarthy along with his student Pranjal Mehta, is building compact electric aircraft designed for passenger use as well as medical emergencies.
First Prototype: Air Ambulance
The team is initially focusing on an air ambulance, capable of carrying a pilot, patient, and trained nurse. Parallelly, the air taxi model is being developed for two passengers and a pilot.
Trial flights of prototype aircraft are scheduled within the next two months, with the first test flight in November. Data from these flights will guide further improvements, continuing through June 2026. Comprehensive testing is expected by the end of 2026, followed by regulatory approvals. Prof. Chakravarthy said the service could be commercially launched after June 2027, once all training, landing infrastructure, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requirements are in place.
Features Of The ePlane Air Taxi
- Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL): Unlike conventional aircraft, it doesn’t require a runway. It ascends vertically like a drone, then flies like a small plane with wings.
- Altitude & Range: Operates between 300 meters and 1 km altitude, with a range of around 100 km per charge, sufficient for most intra-city travel.
- Speed: Journeys that take an hour by road can be completed in 10–15 minutes. For instance, the 30 km journey between Kilambakkam to Koyambedu in Tamil Nadu can be covered in just 10 minutes.
- Capacity & Safety: Equipped with cameras, sensors, and automation similar to self-driving cars, along with a trained pilot for safety.
- Cost: Expected to be around 1.5 times the price of a regular taxi ride, but it significantly reduces travel time.
- Maintenance: Lower running costs compared to fuel-based aircraft; being manufactured in India is expected to keep costs competitive.
Air Taxi Vs Helicopter
Prof. Chakravarthy explained that air taxis weigh around 2,500 kg compared to helicopters that weigh nearly 6,000 kg. Air taxis require only 4,000 sq. ft. for landing, much less than conventional aircraft. With regulatory permissions, the rooftops of tall buildings could serve as landing pads.
He noted that while it is unclear where India’s first commercial air taxi service will be launched, the project has already attracted attention for its potential role in emergency response, medical transport, and easing traffic congestion in cities.
“Air taxis can save critical time for patients, cut urban commute times drastically, and reduce dependence on road infrastructure. We believe this can transform mobility in Indian cities,” Prof. Chakravarthy told ETV Bharat.
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