How Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOL Achieved 1500 Pre-Orders and $6 Billion in Sales with Zero Emissions

By Karmactive Staff By Karmactive Staff

Vertical Aerospace has revealed its latest full-scale VX4 prototype, the only eVTOL to be made in the UK from start to finish.

[{"selector":"#anim-0f6a8f3f-718b-41a3-8f02-9225b302653d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-41.45189086915759%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f16d9d7d-f764-498c-ae58-76902e32a02f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.07717%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c10d495-add6-4bd3-bf31-fc424f9360da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7d3052b-88ad-48be-8dd5-595cf2c9de4b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Simple Flying Photo Source: Simple Flying

The prototype has successfully completed systems testing and commissioning.

[{"selector":"#anim-4664c66e-34a6-4289-8a97-4b32a42ab4bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(45.007532017610494%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2fde695-2620-4160-8cf0-b37651c9523c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.28663%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01b09165-2f2b-4b95-ae1c-5a5a618c5226","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c281a073-454e-4f1e-9dc7-8fc1ae6ac7ce","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Vertical Magazine Photo Source: Vertical Magazine

It is currently undergoing rigorous testing by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to receive a Permit to Fly from them.

[{"selector":"#anim-d185a8ac-e76f-4adc-afac-ae74d460373a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(26.435795358509633%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-166c2562-11aa-4152-9d4d-8936cec60100","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2dac6da6-8b84-4f41-ae23-3f1d66801b85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85125bb1-5a76-4ebe-bdf7-4ce0095d5f56","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Aviation International News Photo Source: Aviation International News

The VX4 is 100 times safer than small-engine helicopters.

[{"selector":"#anim-65940977-de9c-4f5f-bafe-e9eb25b82d4f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-46.88281241040276%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77e2fa78-2e10-41a6-a007-f95ba4c6a2e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f26372a-2ef7-42ac-9fa8-a0b50ef12b12","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e78e575-6bc5-476b-918b-368e63da3ea3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Aviation International News Photo Source: Aviation International News

Vertical Aerospace has collaborated with world-leading aerospace partners, 60% of whose technology and components have been incorporated into the aircraft.

[{"selector":"#anim-c67ec141-c515-4aa3-a458-560cbc4f9182 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-38.155330792755706%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0a474d7f-e278-4a15-9918-53aa2e9d4104","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff01e1cd-8b47-455f-b7fd-e2608d221201","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f67cf6c0-3482-414e-9770-41a273b5af1c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Aviation International News Photo Source: Aviation International News

A 20% increase in power-to-weight ratio in the latest prototype helps it achieve a speed of up to 150 mph.

[{"selector":"#anim-460d0231-955d-4c7e-8b7e-68262666bbd9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(55.20124454091895%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d075658a-2fd0-4baa-bdce-b9adb0b1048c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-931a6ea4-b5e7-42d5-b889-e5c7da8f2c24","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17321464-65cf-4624-9048-816710a5c8b2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Business Aviation News Photo Source: Business Aviation News

The VX4 is nearly silent (50 dBA output) in urban areas with its Low Noise Signature technology. Its next-generation proprietary propellers are optimized for low noise.

[{"selector":"#anim-a67fa738-7a49-4cb7-b049-00669b74cc2d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.526737822645185%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ab68831-0678-470b-88cc-66d1c3ca9134","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9cfaa48a-4a7d-4f06-aeae-9c8ac3669232","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5515b1dc-9e5b-44b4-9064-01e4798037ee","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: AirInsight.com Photo Source: AirInsight.com

A rapid charge time battery and powertrain system were developed at the Vertical Energy Centre, along with multiple backup power sources.

[{"selector":"#anim-09b53477-a635-45ce-839f-61355d3f3b9e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-60.41736285393311%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fe5762a-e7ac-4526-967c-a9437652a3df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.28663%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17ba3003-5643-4b48-82b6-4d6b9c2b669a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3669038-f3e9-4db6-ac55-bfaeab0b5000","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: Advanced Air Mobility International Photo Source: Advanced Air Mobility International

The VX4 prototype has received 1,500 pre-orders worth $6bn from across four continents.

[{"selector":"#anim-ea19de84-9867-4129-bfbe-249c44b6fc0f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.32819651532752%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-264285b1-13c4-4647-a0d9-2bcd65d058a4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.28663%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-958a0d51-0d14-4d87-a1ed-6aada00e066e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9cd2c7e4-551b-4972-b5aa-75250b97ab05","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source: New Atlas Photo Source: New Atlas