Electric air vehicle manufacturer Eve Air Mobility said Monday that it would extend its existing partnership with Blade Air Mobility to integrate its upcoming “flying cars” into Blade’s European route network.
The companies announced their extended partnership at the Paris Air Show held in Le Bourget on Monday, which will integrate Eve’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle—dubbed a flying car—into Blade’s European network.
Under their new memorandum of understanding, Blade will focus on developing practical applications for advanced air mobility, including identifying future routes in France and other European countries.
“Extending our partnership with Eve underscores Blade’s commitment to leading the transition from conventional to electric vehicle aircraft,” Blade’s CEO Rob Wiesenthal said in a statement.
Eve CEO Andre Stein said the extended partnership with Blade would enable the companies to leverage their expertise and resources to enhance travel accessibility and drive environmental improvements.
“The continued partnership between Eve and Blade showcases the dedication and collaboration of both companies to transform the aviation industry and introduce electric air transportation to new regions,” Stein added.
Eve and Blade did not disclose specific details regarding the number of eVTOLs that will be deployed or the financial terms involved in the agreement.
Eve, a subsidiary of Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, partnered with Blade last year to deploy up to 200 eVTOLs in India. The companies also signed a letter of intent for operations in the United States in 2021, enabling Eve to provide up to 60 eVTOLs annually.
Nidec, Embraer to Establish Joint Venture
Meanwhile, Embraer and Japanese electric motor maker Nidec unveiled a deal at the Paris Air Show on June 18 to establish a joint venture that will develop and manufacture electric propulsion systems for eVTOLs.
The new company is named Nidec Aerospace and will be based in St. Louis, Missouri. Nidec will hold a majority stake of 51 percent, while Embraer will own the remaining portion of the joint venture.
Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said that demand for electric propulsion systems is “growing exponentially” in the aerospace sector. With the joint venture, the companies will be able to accelerate the development of advanced products to enable the future of sustainable aviation, he added.
The Paris Air Show was held under the shadow of the conflict in Ukraine, with no Russian presence in the chalets and exhibition halls in contrast to the last event four years ago. Some Ukrainian officials and aerospace firms were expected to be present at the show.
On the commercial side, plane makers arrived with growing expectations as airlines rush for capacity to meet demand and help reach industry goals of net zero emissions by 2050.
But they also face a challenge to meet that demand as suppliers struggle with rising costs, parts shortages, and a scarcity of skilled labor in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously proposed building futuristic “freedom cities” that will incorporate flying cars, which he believed could “bring a giant infusion of wealth into rural America, and connect families and our country in new ways.”
“Just as the United States led the automotive revolution in the last century, I want to ensure that America—not China—leads this revolution in air mobility,” the 2024 Republican presidential candidate said in a March video.
Reuters contributed to this report.
