US plane maker Boeing and German luxury carmaker Porsche have partnered to develop a fully electric flying vehicle and create an international team to study the future of the premium personal urban air mobility market.
“Porsche is looking to enhance its scope as a sports car manufacturer by becoming a leading brand for premium mobility. In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel," said Detlev von Platen, member of the executive board for sales and marketing at Porsche, in a statement. "We are combining the strengths of two leading global companies to address a potential key market segment of the future."
Boeing, Porsche and Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences will develop the concept and test the prototype for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) car.
“This collaboration builds on our efforts to develop a safe and efficient new mobility ecosystem, and provides an opportunity to investigate the development of a premium urban air mobility vehicle with a leading automotive brand," said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing Next.
A 2018 study by Porsche Consulting forecasts that the urban air mobility will pick up after 2025, while a recent Deloitte study forecasts the size of the passenger eVTOL market (excluding cargo and other commercial uses) will reach $17.7 billion (Dh65bn) by 2040. The report predicts that prototypes will be tested and commercialised between 2020 and 2025, mainly in the field of cargo transportation.
A Boeing flying car that could accommodate two to four passengers completed its first test flight in January. A few months earlier Airbus showcased its own prototype of an autonomous passenger car in partnership with Audi that can both fly and drive.
