Electric air taxis could one day whisk commuters from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport or to the suburbs, high above expressway traffic, in a fraction of the time it takes to drive.
That’s the vision of electric aircraft developer Eve, which is leading a group of aviation companies and local governments conducting simulations in Chicago this week. Though the aircraft are likely years away from receiving federal authorization to fly, it’s a vision shared by other major companies like Chicago-based United Airlines, which recently struck a conditional agreement to purchase at least 200 of Eve’s flying taxis in United’s latest investment in the industry.
For now, Chicago commuters can book a $150 trip on one of the simulation flights that are running for the next several weeks between Vertiport Chicago, in the Illinois Medical District, and heliports in Tinley Park and Schaumburg. The simulations use regular helicopters, but Eve, which is backed by Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer, envisions bringing electric air taxis to markets like Chicago as early as 2026.
