Flying Bus Battery Testing Starts; 30-Passenger Vehicle

The developer of a flying bus has started testing battery technology with university researchers for the 30-passenger eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle.

Sora Aviation in Bristol, U.K., has teamed with the University of Bath at its state-of-the-art advanced propulsion research center IAAPS at the Bristol and Bath Science Park.

The Sora S-1 electric aerial vehicle (EAV) is being designed to offer air taxi rides for $30 to $40 per passenger.

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“The aircraft has six tilting rotors, like the Joby S4,” Sora CEO Furqan told me, referring to the Joby Aviation flying taxi.

Air taxis in development typically are designed to carry four passengers and a pilot while the Sora is being designed to carry 30.

“We don't really see the air taxis as direct competition,” said Furqan. “Firstly, they'll still be cheaper to operate than helicopters and thus will have some demand for business travelers and wealthier individuals. At Sora's price point, we're targeting a different customer: the average public. 

“The air taxi companies have also done a great job of progressing battery and motor technology, proving what is actually possible and pushing regulation to keep up with them. We'll be able to benefit from and leverage all of this in our development.

Related:Flying Car Company Introduces the Land Aircraft Carrier

“The main advantage of carrying 30 passengers is splitting the cost of the trip over a greater number of seats. The feasibility of large eVTOLs is well proven.” 

While some air taxis are targeted for deployment in 2025, the Sora S-1 is not scheduled for short-term development.

“Our timelines are 2028 for first flight and 2031 for certification,” said Furqan.

"We are excited to partner with the University of Bath at IAAPS," he said. "This collaboration is a vital step towards advancing affordable and sustainable large-scale advanced air mobility.

The EAV is 100% battery-powered. 

Sora Aviation

“The feasibility of batteries is a function of range and not size,” said Furqan. “A large eVTOL such as the S-1 can fly the same range as a small eVTOL using the same battery mass fraction.

“Basically, the amount of battery per passenger is nearly fixed. The issues arise when you're trying to go significantly longer ranges, which we are not.”

The tests for safety, reliability and efficiency at the university focus on high-energy-density battery cells designed to power the S-1. 

“At IAAPS, we thrive on working with forward-thinking companies like Sora Aviation, whose vision for advanced air mobility aligns with our drive for technological innovation,” said Professor Chris Brace, executive director of IAAPS.

Related:Air Taxi Company Completes 400 Test Flights 4 Months Early