Flying Cars

We humans have become addicted to energy.

Na Pali Coast Zeva Aero electric vertical take-off and landingThe global average consumption of energy is 78 million BTU per person per year, which is equivalent to almost two tons of oil. [1] In the U.S., transportation accounts for 26 percent of all energy consumption — and petroleum accounts for around 90 percent of all transportation-related energy consumption. [2]

Electric vehicles (EVs) help reduce the environmental impacts of our energy consumption by utilizing “less dirty” forms of energy. They’re also incredibly energy efficient, meaning they convert electrical energy to motion more effectively than other forms of transportation.

The global market share of electrified cars, SUVs, and other commercial and passenger vehicles grew from 8 percent in 2019 to 12 percent in 2020, and has shown continued strength in early 2021. This shift will continue to accelerate dramatically in the years to come, with forecasts predicting that by 2026, electrified vehicles will account for more than half of commercial and passenger vehicles sold globally. [3]

This increased market traction is good news, no doubt. But what about electric flying cars, or eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing)?

In 2019, researchers at the University of Michigan performed a study,[4] sponsored by Ford, to assess the environmental sustainability impacts of eVTOLs. The results of the study indicate that for trips over 21 miles, an eVTOL generates fewer emissions than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, approaches the level of Battery Electric ground vehicles, and reduces travel times by up to 80 percent on average.

eVTOLs offer a compelling new transportation mode that will help accelerate the move away from traditional ICE vehicles. Most of the eVTOLs in design are 100 percent electric and zero emissions (if the source of electrical energy is renewable: hydro, solar, wind, nuclear, biogas).

ZEVA’s goal of putting a ZEVA in every garage is our way of lowering global carbon emissions by taking millions of ICE cars off the highways and putting eVTOLs in the air.