Photo: Lilium
2023 was probably one of the most important years for Lilium, the German air mobility company that's building what it claims to be the world's first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) jet. During this final quarter, Lilium is stepping up its plan for global expansion.
Lilium recently added China to its list of global partners, and it's a huge deal. If nothing else, China is expected to become one of the largest and most important markets for electric air taxi operations. According to Lilium, China alone will cover up to a quarter of the entire eVTOL global market.
During the initial phase, the German eVTOL maker and CITIC Offshore Helicopter, which happens to be China's only helicopter port pilotage provider, will focus on creating the ecosystem for future air taxi operations. It's a complex process involving things like advanced test flights and securing infrastructure partners for all-new vertiports. Initial operations will also only focus on a specific area, the Greater Bay Area, and then slowly expand to other regions, including Hainan Island and Tianjin.
Earlier this month, Lilium also officially confirmed upcoming eVTOL services in Dubai. ArcosJet, a Dubai-based aircraft brokerage company, was named as the exclusive authorized dealership for private sales of the Lilium eVTOL jet in the area. Through ArcosJet, the German-made air taxi will reach customers across the UAE, Israel, and Cyprus.
As for the US, a Texas-based aircraft brokerage and management company was confirmed as the exclusive dealership for private sales until the end of this decade. EMCJET will sell the Lilium eVTOL to private customers in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. If things go according to plan, customers across America will eventually have access to the Lilium jet.
While pricing for the future aircraft is not yet official, it's reportedly somewhere between $7 to $10 million. The eVTOL will initially be launched as the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet, boasting a highly customizable, luxury cabin.
Lilium is called an eVTOL jet because it was inspired by conventional jet engine technology, which was adapted to an electric aircraft. Lilium boasts a single-stage rotor/stator system powered by an electric motor and a power lift configuration based on DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) technology, developed in-house.
The German air mobility company has already secured several battery technology partners that will ensure large-scale production for its future commercial aircraft. One of them is connected to Gotion High-Tech, the company that supplies the unified cell that will be installed in up to 80% of all Volkswagen Group's electric vehicles in the future.
The Lilium jet claims to be the only one of its kind, and it's close to obtaining both the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certifications.
During the initial phase, the German eVTOL maker and CITIC Offshore Helicopter, which happens to be China's only helicopter port pilotage provider, will focus on creating the ecosystem for future air taxi operations. It's a complex process involving things like advanced test flights and securing infrastructure partners for all-new vertiports. Initial operations will also only focus on a specific area, the Greater Bay Area, and then slowly expand to other regions, including Hainan Island and Tianjin.
Earlier this month, Lilium also officially confirmed upcoming eVTOL services in Dubai. ArcosJet, a Dubai-based aircraft brokerage company, was named as the exclusive authorized dealership for private sales of the Lilium eVTOL jet in the area. Through ArcosJet, the German-made air taxi will reach customers across the UAE, Israel, and Cyprus.
As for the US, a Texas-based aircraft brokerage and management company was confirmed as the exclusive dealership for private sales until the end of this decade. EMCJET will sell the Lilium eVTOL to private customers in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. If things go according to plan, customers across America will eventually have access to the Lilium jet.
While pricing for the future aircraft is not yet official, it's reportedly somewhere between $7 to $10 million. The eVTOL will initially be launched as the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet, boasting a highly customizable, luxury cabin.
Lilium is called an eVTOL jet because it was inspired by conventional jet engine technology, which was adapted to an electric aircraft. Lilium boasts a single-stage rotor/stator system powered by an electric motor and a power lift configuration based on DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) technology, developed in-house.
The German air mobility company has already secured several battery technology partners that will ensure large-scale production for its future commercial aircraft. One of them is connected to Gotion High-Tech, the company that supplies the unified cell that will be installed in up to 80% of all Volkswagen Group's electric vehicles in the future.
The Lilium jet claims to be the only one of its kind, and it's close to obtaining both the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certifications.
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