Anand Mahindra Unveils India’s First Electric Flying Taxi Prototype from IIT Madras
Anand Mahindra Unveils India's First Electric Flying Taxi Prototype from IIT Madras
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, has unveiled the images of India’s inaugural electric flying taxi prototype.
The eplane company.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 10, 2024
A company being incubated at IIT Madras to build a flying electric taxi by sometime next year…
IIT Madras has become one of the WORLD’s most exciting and active incubators.
Thanks to them and the rapidly growing number of ambitious incubators throughout… pic.twitter.com/Ijb9Rd2MAH
The aircraft, dubbed the ePlane e200, marks a significant stride for the nation into the realm of electric air mobility, with plans underway to develop a fully operational model by the next year.
Taking to X, Mahindra lauded the ePlane Company, an initiative stemming from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, for its groundbreaking efforts in pioneering innovative transportation solutions.
He commended IIT Madras as one of the globe’s most dynamic and vibrant incubators, underscoring India’s burgeoning reputation as a hotbed for innovation.
“IIT Madras has emerged as one of the most vibrant and dynamic incubators globally. Thanks to their endeavors and the proliferating number of ambitious incubators across India, our nation is shedding its erstwhile image of lacking genuine innovators,” remarked Mahindra. He also stressed the significance of daring aspirations and pushing boundaries to propel India’s innovation landscape forward.
The ePlane e200, developed by the Chennai-based deep tech startup ePlane Company, founded in 2017 at IIT Madras, is the brainchild of aerospace engineering professor Satya Chakravarthy and his student Pranjal Mehta.
The two-seater aircraft boasts an impressive travel range of 200 kilometers, catering to intra-city commute and cargo transportation needs.
Speaking about the ePlane e200, Chakravarthy highlighted its potential to alleviate urban traffic congestion by providing a tenfold increase in speed compared to road-based vehicles like cabs. The electric flying taxi boasts a cruise speed of 160 kilometers per hour and a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour, while accommodating two passengers or 200 kilograms of cargo.
With its promising features and innovative design, the ePlane e200 represents a significant leap forward in India’s pursuit of sustainable and efficient transportation solutions, ushering in a new era of electric air mobility.
