As the aviation industry races toward a zero-emission future, 2024 proved to be a transformative year for electric aviation. With major milestones achieved across continents, promising technologies unveiled, and a few stumbles along the way, the year showcased both the enormous potential and the persistent challenges of the sector.
In this recap, we highlight the biggest beneficiaries and casualties, the rising contenders, and the unexpected underdogs.
January 2024: Starting Strong
- XPeng AeroHT announced the Voyager X2 eVTOL flying car would enter commercial production.
- Hyundai unveiled the Supernal S-A2 at CES 2024.
- Dutch firm Elysian introduced plans for its E9X aircraft, designed to carry 90 passengers over 800 km, targeting a 2033 launch.
February 2024: Hydrogen Takes Flight
- France’s Beyond Aero flew a hydrogen-electric demonstrator powered by an 85-kW fuel cell/battery hybrid.
- AutoFlight Prosperity completed a historic 50 km autonomous intracity flight between Shenzhen and Zhuhai in China.
March 2024: Visions of Urban Air Mobility
- Airbus revealed the CityAirbus NextGen, a four-seat eVTOL expected to fly later in the year.
- Japan committed $33 billion toward next-generation hydrogen and electric aircraft under a national innovation plan.
April 2024: Major Firsts
- AutoFlight delivered the first civilian ton-class eVTOL, the Prosperity, to a Japanese AAM operator, marking a global first.
- Its CarryAll cargo eVTOL also received Type Certification from China’s aviation authority (CAAC).
- Beta Alia achieved hover-to-forward flight transition — a crucial step for VTOL certification.
- CATL unveiled a 500 Wh/kg condensed battery, a breakthrough in battery density for electric aircraft.
May 2024: Gyroplanes and Green Flight
- UK-based ARC Aero Systems received approval to develop an electric gyroplane, capable of operating without runways — ideal for rural and rescue missions.
June 2024: Transitioning with Speed
- Archer’s Midnight eVTOL completed its first transition flight, reaching over 100 mph. At 6,500 lbs, it’s among the largest eVTOLs to do so.
- CATL flew a 4-tonne aircraft using condensed batteries, with plans for commercial electric planes offering up to 3,000 km range by 2027–2028.
July 2024: Hydrogen Milestone
- Joby Aero completed a 523-mile hydrogen-electric flight, using a modified version of its eVTOL platform. This milestone supports Joby’s long-term vision for hydrogen propulsion.
August 2024: Tilt-Wing Takes Off
- Dufour Aerospace flew the production-ready Aero2 X2.3 prototype, featuring tilt-wing design — a rarity in today’s eVTOL landscape.
September 2024: Military and Med-Evac Use
- Beta Technologies introduced its first passenger eVTOL, securing a 20-aircraft order from Metro Aviation and completing deployments with the U.S. Air Force.
October 2024: Regulation and Ruin
- The FAA officially introduced the ‘powered-lift’ aircraft category, laying a regulatory foundation for eVTOLs in U.S. airspace — a pivotal move for urban air mobility.
- However, October also delivered a major blow: Lilium, once a pioneer, entered insolvency—a sobering reminder of the financial tightrope many eVTOL startups walk.
November 2024: Redemption and Resurgence
- Vertical Aerospace secured £39 million in funding and completed a successful piloted test flight, bouncing back from its earlier crash.
- XPeng AeroHT publicly flew its 2-seater quadcopter, receiving over 2,000 orders at the Zhuhai Air Show. Its land-aircraft carrier also impressed with a 621-mile range.
- CityAirbus NextGen completed its first flight, signaling Airbus’s serious commitment to the eVTOL market.
December 2024: The Phoenix Rises
- Against all odds, Lilium secured new investment, emerging from insolvency just in time. With 108 aircraft orders and continued flight testing, the company proved it wasn’t finished yet.
2024 in Review: Who Rose and Who Faltered?
Biggest Winners:
- AutoFlight – Strong certifications and first-ever eVTOL delivery.
- CATL – Major innovation in battery tech, bringing aviation-grade energy density closer to reality.
- Joby Aero – Leading the hydrogen-electric narrative.
- XPeng – The year’s dark horse, surprising many with public demos and high-volume orders.
Biggest Setback:
- Lilium – From industry darling to insolvency, before a dramatic return in December.
The Road Ahead
Despite regulatory, financial, and technical hurdles, 2024 marked a defining year for electric aviation. The path to clean, quiet, and efficient air mobility is becoming clearer, though it remains complex. With major players and bold newcomers charging ahead, the dream of sustainable flight is closer than ever.
Stay tuned — the skies are changing.