Eve Air Mobility and Embraer performed the first firing of the electric propulsion engine of the Eve-100 eVTOL.
The test took place at the Gavião Peixoto facility in Brazil. The only known prototype was taken to a remote taxiway where the pusher engine installed in the tail operated for the first time.
Eve released a video on its YouTube channel showing the feat. The aircraft is unmanned and all control is done through a remote station.
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The electric aircraft has not yet been fully assembled. The most notable absence is the lift rotors, which will be installed in four pairs on wing mounts.
The development of the eVTOL has been slower than other competing projects. Eve only revealed the first prototype last year and had plans to put it into flight in 2024.
Now the goal is for it to fly in 2025 and enter service in 2027. The unprecedented type certification is being carried out with ANAC, Brazil’s civil aviation agency.
Airbus suspends its eVTOL
Eve currently has almost 3,000 orders and letters of intent for the five-seat model. Production will be carried out in a factory near Embraer’s headquarters and is being prepared to begin assembling the aircraft.
The announcement of the milestone comes amid the suspension of another important eVTOL project, Airbus’ CityAirbus NextGen.
The electric aircraft, which has had a prototype in flight tests since last year, will have its program suspended due to the lack of batteries capable of offering the desired range of up to 100 km.
Airbus, however, will continue studying the electric vehicle for a possible relaunch as soon as technical conditions allow.
