India’s surging population and dearth of alternative transportation options have led to crippling traffic congestion, exacerbated by its compact city streets and scarcity of parking facilities, making it a pressing urban challenge for this densely populated country. As New Delhi confronts these challenges, it has been proactively exploring innovative solutions to overcome them swiftly.
At a press conference in September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to support the development of air taxis, signaling the federal government’s enthusiasm for this innovative transportation mode. The country’s civil aviation authority has established a framework for the regulation of air taxi services.
This new technology is harnessing the power of the wave.
The startup, founded by IIT Madras aerospace engineering professor Satya Chakravarthy in 2019, is currently building its electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200x, a few months after developing unmanned drones for cargo and camera applications. With a rich heritage to his name, Chakravarthy boasts a distinguished background as a co-founder and advisor to several prominent Indian technology startups, including Agnikul, GalaxEye, and TuTr Hyperloop.
Chakravarthy revealed to TechCrunch that ePlane has secured intellectual property rights for its innovative intra-city commute and cargo-focused plane, characterized by a gradual cruising speed and an unusually compact wingspan of just 8 meters, distinguishing it from conventional air taxis boasting larger wingspans ranging from 12 to 16 meters. With its compact design, this vehicle is capable of navigating tight spaces while providing numerous short trips – up to 60 daily excursions – at a fixed expense, according to the operator. According to him, commuters could reduce their travel time by up to 85% for less than double the usual Uber fare cost.
While many eVTOL aircraft currently resemble multicopters akin to industrial drones or feature vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities like air taxis with propellers, While Chakravarthy acknowledged that this configuration offers a more straightforward development and implementation process, he noted that it has limitations when it comes to covering longer distances on a single charge. ePlane chose a unique lift-plus-cruise configuration, where the vehicle is equipped with a winged structure akin to a conventional aircraft, but featuring vertical rotors reminiscent of a drone.
“Following rigorous testing, our configuration has proven exceptionally reliable due to redundant systems: vertical rotors absorb the plane’s load while wings gradually balance it, ensuring a seamless transition from vertical takeoff and hover to forward flight.”
The startup has also developed a novel concept known as synergistic lift, which enables the utilization of vertical rotors during forward flight to facilitate wing compaction.
Chakravarthy told TechCrunch that ePlane’s IIT Madras facility produces airplane components, including airframe elements, custom-designed seats, and bespoke propellers. The startup outsources cell production but assembles the batteries in-house at its facility to meet the aircraft’s specific weight and balance requirements, ensuring the plane’s center of gravity is properly maintained.
The startup aims to commercialize its electric air taxi by the end of 2026, pending certification from Indian and international regulatory bodies, as well as successful prototype development in the first half of 2025, according to Chakravarthy’s conversation with TechCrunch.
Ahead of putting the vehicle through rigorous testing, ePlane announced a $14 million Collection B funding round, co-led by Speciale Investments and Antares Ventures from Singapore. The equity round saw participation from a diverse group of investors, including Micelio Mobility, Naval Ravikant, Java Capital, Samarthya Funding Advisors, Redstart, representing Naukri, and Anicut. The venture capital firm has placed a valuation of $46 million on the startup, representing a significant increase from its earlier valuation of $21 million.
The recently secured capital will support ePlane’s mission to obtain key international regulatory certifications, leveraging its team of over 100 experts to accelerate commercialization efforts.
India’s success in partnering with ePlane could provide a springboard for entry into various markets, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe.
“We’re driven by the conviction that advancing what’s best for India could have a profound impact on the global stage,” Chakravarthy declared.
