SAO PAULO Electric aircraft maker Eve and Blade Air Mobility are expanding their partnership to incorporate Eve's upcoming flying car into Blade's European route network, starting with France, the companies said on Monday.
The deal follows similar agreements between the Paris Airshow companies, which are currently participating in the Paris Airshow, to use Eve's electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles eVTOLs in India and the United States.
Embraer, the Brazilian plane maker, manages Eve and expects to launch the vehicle in 2026.
Under their new memorandum of understanding, Blade said, Blade would focus on developing practical applications for air mobility, including identifying future routes in France and other European countries.
They didn't say if the deal would involve new eVTOL purchases by Blade, whose current European operations include flying conventional helicopters between Nice and Monaco.
Last year, Eve and Blade agreed to deploy up to 200 electrical aircraft in India, following a letter of intent for operations in the U.S., where Eve expects to provide up to 60 vehicles per year.
Ending our cooperation with Eve underscores Blade's commitment to leading the transition from conventional to electric vertical aircraft, said Blade Chief Executive Officer Rob Wiesenthal.
Eve had a backlog of nearly 2,800 orders before it started production, and its development has been backed by investors like United Airlines and Rolls-Royce.
The firm has announced the first equipment suppliers for its eVTOLs, and plans to begin building its first full-scale prototype in the second half. Additional testing will be planned for 2024.
Eve's CEO Andre Stein said that the extended collaboration with Blade would allow the companies to combine knowledge and resources to make travel more accessible and promote environmental improvements.
Last year, Blade acquired the licence and scheduled flight operations of European firms Monacair, Heli Securite and Azur Helicoptere, which it said would be crucial for ongoing technical and commercial discussions with Eve.