SFO: Quiet electric taxis coming

B'game is so close to SFO airport that almost everything that happens there affects us--for better and for worse.  We love the cheap cab fare or Lyft cost to get there.  But the runway backblast can interrupt sleep so much that it's bad for our health.  Some residents can smell the fumes.  Now, next up are electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) taxis ferrying passengers to and fro per the SF Comicle

United Airlines is partnering with an electric aircraft company with plans to introduce an all-electric air taxi service from San Francisco International for commuters coming to and from the airport starting in 2026.

The Florida-based company, Eve Air Mobility, announced Wednesday that both companies will be working with local and state officials as well as infrastructure, energy and technology providers to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place to introduce electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft flights.

“Our shared goal is to provide residents and visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area with efficient and cost-competitive transportation in one of the most densely populated urban areas in the U.S.,” said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve Air Mobility. “The Bay Area is perfect for eVTOL flights given its size, traffic, focus on sustainability, innovation and commitment to add other options for mobility.”

On the bright side, a piece in the Wall Street Journal described another eVTOL company that had trouble getting any attention at the Paris Air Show because the craft was so quiet that it blended into show hubbub.  That model is a two-seater, so only one passenger per flight.  The Eve taxi rendering looks a little bigger.  I will love to see how that pencils out for United and Eve.  I just hope they don't expect to take B'game parking spaces to recharge!

Comments

[Peter Garrison]

How come no mention of the neighbor who was awarded $10,100 from SFO for airport noise disrupting his quality of life?

[Joe]

I almost went there, but decided to keep to the topic at hand. The old posts about the noise can be found here and work backwards with the links. I have heard that the city is appealing some of the prior awards so I'm not sure the checks have hit the mail.

https://www.burlingamevoice.com/2020/02/sfo-runway-noise-winning-at-appeal-on-to-round-2.html#comments

[MBGA]

Did they do this one?

https://youtu.be/VQmmByJwKFI

[Joe]

The band did, but somehow you are on the wrong post!

https://www.burlingamevoice.com/2023/07/music-in-the-park-draws-a-crowd.html#comments

[Joe]

Oyster Point to get a "vertiport"

Archer Aviation, a Santa Clara company, has unveiled plans for an electric air taxi network connecting five Bay Area locations, including a new 50-acre waterfront campus in South San Francisco.

Archer announced on Thursday that it is collaborating with Kilroy Realty Corp. to develop a hub at Kilroy Oyster Point for its eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. This service will offer flights between Napa, San Jose, Oakland and Livermore, significantly reducing commutes that could take from 60-90 minutes by ground to just 10-20 minutes.

Archer promises that its flights are designed to be sustainable, low-noise and competitively priced with ground transportation.

Earlier this month, Archer received Federal Aviation Administration certification, enabling the company to operate commercially and proceed with the construction of its vertiport in South San Francisco. Archer has also forged partnerships with infrastructure and operations firms in other Bay Area destinations.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/electric-air-taxi-network-to-cut-commute-times-19525541.php

Click through to see the cool looking plane.

[Peter Garrison]

Was in general aviation for years.

Main problem with business aviation is transportation from the airport to the place of business.

Everyone can meet at the airport restaurant or conference room or have transportation alternatives to get you to the meeting place.

This ads time and you don’t have the option of a car unless rentals are available.

Still, cool.