Airbus partners with Audi to explore how its electric taxi work may find its way to market, but the concept remains early-stage

December 05, 2018 | Case Study

Airbus is no stranger to electric aviation: The company's much-publicized Vahana project is an electric, self-piloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) concept, which had its first test in early 2018. Additionally, the company has been working on a hybrid-electric commercial airplane as well as a high-altitude electric plane, the Zephyr, which recently took the world record for longest continuous flight. The company is clearly eyeing an opportunity in electric aviation for urban environments, but is exploring partnerships with incumbent automakers as a way to accelerate progress and tap into an established customer base. This brings into play Audi, the German automaker, as well as Pininfarina, a specialized Italian design house known for its concept cars and design work.