Indian Electric Aircraft Startup ePlane Signs $1 Billion Deal to Supply Air Ambulances
India’s electric aviation sector, ePlane, an Indian electric aircraft startup, has announced a groundbreaking deal valued at over $1 billion to supply 788 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The aircraft will serve as air ambulances, helping to address the nation’s growing traffic congestion problem and improving emergency medical services.
The deal, signed with ICATT, an air ambulance service provider, marks a significant milestone for ePlane, which has set ambitious goals for the development of eVTOL technology. These aircraft, capable of taking off and landing vertically, are designed to bypass ground traffic, offering a faster and more efficient way to transport patients in critical conditions. This deal is part of a larger vision to deploy these air ambulances across all districts in India, significantly enhancing the nation’s emergency response capabilities. Satya Chakravarthy, the founder of ePlane and a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, shared the company’s excitement about the project. Chakravarthy noted that focusing on air ambulances would allow ePlane to ramp up production more efficiently compared to the challenge of launching air taxis. He added, “It’s possible for us to ramp up air ambulances a lot more organically, compared to having to go to a rush with an air taxi.”
ePlane’s eVTOL aircraft will initially have a range of about 110 kilometres, with plans to extend this range to over 200 kilometres. This range is sufficient to address many of the urgent transportation needs within congested urban areas, where traditional air ambulances often struggle to navigate dense traffic. The aircraft is designed to accommodate a pilot, a paramedic, and a patient on a stretcher, with plans for three prototypes to be built initially. The production of these prototypes will be followed by a push towards large-scale manufacturing as the company aims to produce 100 units per year, starting by the latter half of 2026. This will be a significant step towards meeting the demands of the Indian market, where the need for more efficient and effective emergency services has never been greater.
Chakravarthy, who oversees ePlane’s operations at IIT-Madras, believes that the integration of eVTOL technology into India’s air ambulance network will not only save lives but will also offer a sustainable solution to the country’s ongoing traffic woes. As major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru grapple with worsening congestion, eVTOL aircraft could provide a vital lifeline, reducing response times for critical medical situations. ePlane has already raised $20 million from investors, and the startup is now aiming to secure an additional $100 million to fund the development of more prototypes, obtain type certification, and scale up production to meet the demand for air ambulances. The electric aviation sector in India is still in its early stages, but ePlane’s partnership with ICATT marks a major leap forward in the commercialisation of electric aircraft. Alongside other players like Archer Aviation and Sarla Aviation, ePlane is positioning itself as a leader in the emerging eVTOL market, which is expected to revolutionise urban transport and emergency services globally.
This collaboration highlights the growing demand for innovative solutions to India’s transportation and healthcare challenges. With its commitment to electric aviation and its focus on air ambulances, ePlane is not just looking to reshape the future of urban mobility but also to make a meaningful impact on public health and emergency services across the country. As the production of these revolutionary aircraft ramps up, the promise of quicker, more efficient medical transport is on the horizon, offering hope for the millions who rely on timely emergency care in India’s sprawling urban centres.
