The Emergence and Evolution of eVTOLs: A Global Shift Toward Urban Air Mobility
In the ever-evolving landscape of transportation, the quest for sustainable and efficient alternatives has led to the rise of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This groundbreaking technology promises to revolutionize urban travel by offering a greener, faster, and more convenient mode of transport. However, the realization of this vision hinges on overcoming a myriad of challenges, from technological advancements and safety assurances to regulatory support and the development of necessary infrastructure.
A Pioneering Achievement: China’s Leap into eVTOL Certification
In March 2025, China made headlines as it became the first country to fully embrace urban air mobility (UAM). The Chinese firm EHang achieved a significant milestone when its EH216-S model received complete certification for commercial use, thereby positioning China at the forefront of the eVTOL movement, ahead of both the United States and the European Union. This landmark achievement underscored China’s commitment to pioneering the integration of eVTOLs into urban landscapes.
The global UAM market is poised for exponential growth, with projections suggesting an increase from $3.6 billion in 2023 to an impressive $37.22 billion by 2033. This forecast indicates an annual growth rate of approximately 26%, presenting significant opportunities for investors and companies within this burgeoning sector.
Archer Aviation: A Vision of Realistic Innovation
Among the trailblazers in the eVTOL domain, Archer Aviation has emerged as a key player, particularly in the United States. The company distinguishes itself through a philosophy of “realistic innovation,” which is embodied in its Midnight model. Unlike the drone-like design of EHang’s EH216-S, Archer’s Midnight more closely resembles a traditional aircraft, albeit with advanced vectored-thrust technology.
The Midnight model boasts six tilt-rotors for vertical take-off and landing, seamlessly transitioning to a horizontal alignment along with its six fixed-wing rotors during flight. This unique 12-rotor hybrid design, powered by six battery packs, offers enhanced capability and robustness. With a top speed of 150mph and a range of up to 50 miles, the Midnight can transport up to four passengers, offering a quieter and more efficient alternative to conventional helicopters.
The noise level of the Midnight, a critical consideration in urban environments, is significantly lower than that of light helicopters. Whereas light helicopters emit about 100 dB of noise from 100 feet away, the Midnight’s noise level is around 65 dB during take-off and landing, reducing to about 45 dB in flight. This makes it not only more environmentally friendly but also more palatable to urban communities.
Archer’s Journey Toward Commercial Viability
The journey towards the commercial introduction of eVTOLs such as Archer’s Midnight involves navigating a complex landscape of regulatory approvals and technological validations. In the United States, Archer Aviation has benefited from supportive executive orders aimed at expediting the development and deployment of eVTOL technologies. The company’s strategic partnerships, including collaborations with military technology firms and substantial investments, underscore its ambitious vision for the future of urban air mobility.
Archer Aviation has reached several key milestones, including successful test flights and preliminary certifications necessary for operational readiness. Furthermore, the company has solidified partnerships for “Launch Edition” deployments in various international locations and has outlined plans to integrate its services within existing urban transportation networks, such as connecting Manhattan with regional airports to dramatically reduce travel times.
The Future of Urban Air Mobility
As eVTOL technologies continue to mature, they hold the promise of transforming urban transportation by offering an eco-friendly, efficient, and innovative solution to the challenges of congestion and pollution. Companies like Archer Aviation are at the forefront of this transformation, navigating through technological advancements, regulatory landscapes, and market dynamics.
The progress of eVTOL adoption globally, led by pioneering initiatives in China and innovative approaches by companies like Archer in the United States, marks a significant shift towards sustainable urban mobility. With continued investment, research, and regulatory support, the vision of widespread urban air mobility could soon become a reality, ushering in a new era of transportation that aligns with the goals of efficiency, sustainability, and improved quality of life for urban dwellers around the world.
For electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight to materialize, many conditions have to be met. Outside of technological and safety challenges, intra-regional commercial flying has to be favored by regulatory bodies and supported by infrastructure. In March 2025, China was the first to materialize these conditions with EHang’s autonomous EH216-S full certification to conduct urban air mobility (UAM), beating both the US and EU. In the United States, Archer Aviation is one of the top air taxi companies to consider for this niche exposure. According to Research and Markets, UAM market size should reach $37.22 billion by 2033, giving investors an expected CAGR of ~26% from 2023’s $3.6 billion.
Archer Aviation’s Approach to eVTOL
The aforementioned EH216-S from Chinese EHang is priced at around $333,000, with a range of 30 km for two passengers. For comparison, an entry level helicopter Robinson R44 Raven (NASDAQ:) II costs around $500,000, able to carry three passengers across 453 km. Of course, the cost of a flight with a helicopter is further exacerbated as it includes pilot services, unlike with the autonomous EH216-S.
Archer Aviation’s approach follows “realistic innovation” philosophy, which translates into a larger and more capable craft. Unlike EHang’s drone-like design, Archer’s Midnight model is more like a traditional plane but with vectored-thrust lift. Midnight has six tilt-rotors that transition from vertical to horizontal alignment to combine with its six fixed-wing rotors.
Altogether, this hybrid 12-rotor design, powered by 6 battery packs, is more robust with a top cruising speed of 150mph (241km/h) and a range up to 50 miles (80km), able to carry up to four passengers. The rotor shift configuration also means that the eVTOL is noisier upon take-off and landing (~65 dB) but quieter during the actual flight at around ~45 dB.
For comparison, a light helicopter is drastically louder, at around 100 dB from 100 feet away. At levels above 85 dB, human hearing is already in jeopardy after prolonged exposure. After more than four years of test flights, it is fair to say that Archer’s Midnight specs already fulfill the necessary requirements for UAM.
Case in point, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) specifications for gyroplanes’ noise levels, as of March 2025, state that the maximum allowable noise level, up to 600 kg take-off mass, is 70.8 dB. Over 1,500 kg, the limit is 85 dB. Midnight’s maximum takeoff weight is 3,175 kg, with the craft well under the noise level for even lighter craft.
How Close is Archer to Commercial Launch?
On June 11th, the White House announced another executive order (EO) from President Trump. This time, it pertained to the acceleration of domestic drone production and the development of eVTOLs for the purpose of air taxis and defense logistics.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios described the previous regulatory landscape as “burdensome red tape” and “regulatory gridlock”. This is good news for Archer Aviation, already having ties with the industrial-military complex and emerging players aligned with the Trump administration.
“This Executive Order is a seminal moment for Archer and the eVTOL industry.”
CEO of Archer Aviation, Adam Goldstein
Namely, the company partnered up with rising Anduril Industries in late 2024 for the development of hybrid VTOL military aircraft within its Archer Defense division, having added $430 million funding in the process. Previously, we covered the ties between Palantir (NASDAQ:) and Anduril, as a broader push for a new type of hegemony technology.
After the most recent EO last week, Archer raised another $850 million. For the LA 28 Olympic Games, the company was exclusively selected in May to be the official air taxi provider.
In early June, Archer successfully completed piloted take-offs and landings, with test pilot Jeff Greenwood noting that “everything responded exactly as we trained for”.
At present, Archer Aviation completed FAA certifications for Maintenance & Repair, Air Carrier & Operator, and Final Airworthiness. Means of Compliance (MOC) certification is still in progress, as well as Production certification.
In the meantime, the company gathered three “Launch Edition” partners, from Indonesian IKN and UAE’s Abu Dhabi Aviation to Ethiopian Airlines. The UAE deployment of Midnight eVTOLs should begin in late 2025.
On the domestic front, Archer plans to link Manhattan with regional airports/heliports by partnering with United Airlines. This would shorten congested 2-hour drives to just 15-minute flights.
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Neither the author, Tim Fries, nor this website, The Tokenist, provide financial advice. Please consult our website policy prior to making financial decisions.
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