eVTOL Aircraft: Compare Every Model
From the 250-mile BETA ALIA to the autonomous EHang EH216-S, explore and compare every major eVTOL aircraft in development. Detailed specs, design philosophies, range capabilities, and certification status for the electric aircraft that will transform urban transportation.
Aircraft Specifications
Compare the key specifications of every major eVTOL aircraft currently in development or certified for commercial operations.
| Model | Company | Type | Range | Speed | Capacity | Noise | Certification | Autonomous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joby S4 | Joby Aviation | Tilt-Rotor | 150 mi | 200 mph | 4+1 pilot | ~65 dB | 2025 (FAA) | No (future) |
| Archer Midnight | Archer Aviation | Tilt-Rotor | 60 mi | 150 mph | 4+1 pilot | ~65 dB | 2025–2026 | No (future) |
| EHang EH216-S | EHang | Multicopter | 22 mi | 80 mph | 2 pax | ~70 dB | Certified (CAAC 2024) | Yes (fully) |
| Wisk Cora / Gen 6 | Wisk Aero (Boeing) | Lift+Cruise | 25+ mi | 100 mph | 4 pax | ~65 dB | 2028+ | Yes (fully) |
| Eve eVTOL | Eve Air Mobility | Lift+Cruise | 60 mi | 150 mph | 4+1 pilot | ~65 dB | 2026–2027 | No (future) |
| Volocopter VoloCity | Volocopter | Multicopter | 22 mi | 68 mph | 2 pax | ~65 dB | 2026 (EASA) | No (future) |
| Vertical VX4 | Vertical Aerospace | Tilt-Rotor | 100 mi | 200 mph | 4+1 pilot | ~65 dB | 2026–2027 | No (future) |
| BETA ALIA | BETA Technologies | Lift+Cruise (fixed-wing) | 250 mi | 170 mph | 5+1 pilot | ~60 dB | 2026–2027 | No (future) |
| AutoFlight Prosperity I | AutoFlight | Lift+Cruise | 155 mi | 125 mph | 5 pax | ~65 dB | 2026–2027 | No (future) |
| SkyDrive SD-05 | SkyDrive | Multicopter | 5 mi | 62 mph | 2 pax | ~70 dB | 2025 (Japan) | No |
Specifications based on manufacturer published data and industry reports. Performance may vary based on conditions and final certified configurations.
Design Types Explained
eVTOL aircraft come in four main design categories, each with distinct advantages and tradeoffs. Understanding these designs helps you appreciate the different approaches to urban air mobility.
Tilt-Rotor
Rotors tilt from vertical position for takeoff and landing to horizontal position for efficient forward cruise flight. Combines helicopter-like vertical capability with airplane-like cruise efficiency. Offers the best balance of range, speed, and hover capability.
Lift+Cruise
Separate sets of propellers for vertical lift and forward cruise. Lift rotors are used only during takeoff and landing, while dedicated pusher or puller propellers provide forward thrust. Wings generate lift during cruise flight.
Multicopter
Multiple fixed rotors arranged around the aircraft provide both lift and limited forward thrust. Similar to a scaled-up drone. The simplest eVTOL design with the fewest moving parts and highest redundancy.
Vectored Thrust
Rotors or fans can direct thrust in multiple directions through ducted fans or variable-pitch propellers. Provides VTOL capability while maintaining efficient forward flight without the mechanical complexity of tilt-rotors.
Range Comparison
Range varies dramatically between eVTOL designs. Fixed-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft achieve the longest ranges, while multicopter designs are optimized for shorter urban trips.
Lift+Cruise (fixed-wing) — BETA Technologies
Lift+Cruise — AutoFlight
Tilt-Rotor — Joby Aviation
Tilt-Rotor — Vertical Aerospace
Tilt-Rotor — Archer Aviation
Lift+Cruise — Eve Air Mobility
Lift+Cruise — Wisk Aero (Boeing)
Multicopter — EHang
Multicopter — Volocopter
Multicopter — SkyDrive
Certification Status Tracker
Certification is the critical milestone that determines when each aircraft can begin carrying passengers commercially. Here is the current status of each aircraft in the certification process.
BETA ALIA
In ProgressBETA Technologies
Target: 2026–2027
AutoFlight Prosperity I
In ProgressAutoFlight
Target: 2026–2027
Joby S4
Near CompletionJoby Aviation
Target: 2025 (FAA)
Vertical VX4
In ProgressVertical Aerospace
Target: 2026–2027
Archer Midnight
Near CompletionArcher Aviation
Target: 2025–2026
Eve eVTOL
In ProgressEve Air Mobility
Target: 2026–2027
Wisk Cora / Gen 6
In ProgressWisk Aero (Boeing)
Target: 2028+
EHang EH216-S
CertifiedEHang
Target: Certified (CAAC 2024)
Volocopter VoloCity
In ProgressVolocopter
Target: 2026 (EASA)
SkyDrive SD-05
Near CompletionSkyDrive
Target: 2025 (Japan)
Noise Level Comparison
All eVTOL aircraft are dramatically quieter than helicopters at 95 to 100 dB. Most eVTOL designs produce noise comparable to a normal conversation, enabling operations in dense urban areas.
eVTOL Noise Levels
Reference Noise Levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eVTOL aircraft models, specifications, and technology.
Which eVTOL aircraft has the longest range?
The BETA ALIA has the longest range of any eVTOL aircraft currently in development at approximately 250 miles on a single charge. This is due to its fixed-wing lift-plus-cruise design, which is optimized for longer-distance regional flights rather than short urban hops. The Joby S4 follows with 150 miles of range, and the AutoFlight Prosperity I offers 155 miles. Most urban air taxi eVTOLs have ranges of 22 to 100 miles, which is more than sufficient for their intended short-distance urban and suburban routes.
Which eVTOL aircraft is the fastest?
The Joby S4 and Vertical VX4 are tied for the fastest eVTOL aircraft at approximately 200 mph cruise speed. Both use tilt-rotor designs that allow them to transition to efficient forward flight like an airplane. The BETA ALIA cruises at 170 mph, Archer Midnight and Eve eVTOL at 150 mph, and AutoFlight Prosperity I at 125 mph. Multicopter designs like EHang EH216-S and Volocopter VoloCity are slower at 68 to 80 mph but are designed for short urban trips where speed matters less than efficiency and simplicity.
What is the difference between a tilt-rotor and a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL?
A tilt-rotor eVTOL like the Joby S4 uses the same rotors for both vertical takeoff and forward flight by physically tilting them from vertical to horizontal. A lift-plus-cruise eVTOL like the BETA ALIA has separate dedicated rotors for vertical lift and separate propellers for forward cruise, with wings providing lift during forward flight. Tilt-rotors are generally more efficient since all motors are used throughout the flight, while lift-plus-cruise designs are mechanically simpler since the rotors do not need to tilt.
Which eVTOL aircraft can fly autonomously?
The EHang EH216-S is currently the only certified autonomous eVTOL aircraft, operating without any pilot on board in China since receiving CAAC certification in 2024. Wisk Aero, owned by Boeing, is developing the Generation 6 aircraft designed for fully autonomous operations from the outset. Most other eVTOL manufacturers like Joby and Archer plan to introduce autonomous capabilities after initial piloted operations, likely starting in the 2028 to 2030 timeframe as regulations evolve.
How quiet are eVTOL aircraft compared to helicopters?
eVTOL aircraft produce noise levels of approximately 60 to 70 decibels, which is comparable to a normal conversation or moderate traffic. This is dramatically quieter than helicopters at 95 to 100 decibels. The 30 to 35 dB difference represents a perception of being roughly 8 to 10 times quieter. The BETA ALIA is the quietest at approximately 60 dB due to its fixed-wing cruise configuration. This low noise profile is critical because it allows eVTOLs to operate in dense urban areas where helicopters are restricted due to noise ordinances.
How many passengers can eVTOL aircraft carry?
Passenger capacity varies by design. Smaller multicopter designs like the EHang EH216-S, Volocopter VoloCity, and SkyDrive SD-05 carry 2 passengers. Most tilt-rotor and lift-plus-cruise designs carry 4 passengers plus 1 pilot, including the Joby S4, Archer Midnight, Eve eVTOL, and Vertical VX4. The BETA ALIA carries 5 passengers plus 1 pilot, and the AutoFlight Prosperity I carries 5 passengers. Future larger eVTOL aircraft may carry 6 to 9 passengers for regional routes.
Which eVTOL aircraft is certified to fly?
As of early 2026, the EHang EH216-S is the only eVTOL aircraft with a full type certificate, issued by China CAAC in October 2024. It is the first eVTOL to be certified for commercial autonomous passenger operations anywhere in the world. Joby Aviation is the furthest along in the FAA certification process and expects to receive its type certificate in 2025. Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Eve Air Mobility, and Volocopter are all in active certification programs with expected completion in 2025 to 2027 depending on the regulatory authority.
What determines the range of an eVTOL aircraft?
eVTOL range is primarily determined by three factors: battery energy density measured in watt-hours per kilogram, aircraft design efficiency particularly whether it has wings for cruise lift, and total battery weight relative to aircraft weight. Fixed-wing designs like BETA ALIA achieve longer ranges because wings provide lift during cruise flight, reducing battery consumption. Multicopter designs have shorter ranges because the rotors must provide all lift throughout the flight. Battery technology improvements of 5 to 10 percent annually are gradually increasing range for all eVTOL types.
Can I buy an eVTOL aircraft?
Currently, eVTOL aircraft are primarily being sold to operators, fleet companies, and government entities rather than individual buyers. EHang sells the EH216-S for approximately $410,000 primarily to tourism and transportation operators. As the market matures, individual purchase options may become available, similar to how you can buy a small airplane today. Prices are expected to range from $300,000 to $4 million depending on the aircraft model, with costs decreasing significantly as manufacturing scales up.
Experience the Future of Flight
These aircraft are coming to a city near you. Join the waitlist to be among the first to fly when eVTOL services launch.