- January 12, 2021, 9:10 AM
Archer says it will be ready to begin commercial operations with its four-seat eVTOL aircraft in 2024. (Image: Archer)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is partnering with eVTOL developer Archer to provide composite materials and engineering support for the four-passenger aircraft due to be unveiled this year. The U.S.-based carmaker, which has not disclosed whether it is making a direct investment in Archer, is following the lead of Asian rivals Hyundai and Toyota, which have both made big financial commitments to the advanced air mobility sector.
California-based Archer, which launched in May, plans to start volume production of its unnamed aircraft by 2023 and begin commercial operations it describes as “airline” service in 2024. This year, it expects to begin flight testing a full-scale prototype for an all-electric fixed-wing aircraft that would fly up to 60 miles at speeds of 150 mph.