The cost per mile of VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft, i.e., “cars in the sky”) is currently significantly higher than that of cars on the road, but the gap is expected to narrow over time as the technology matures.
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 5, 2025
The cost per mile of VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft, i.e., “cars in the sky”) is currently significantly higher than that of cars on the road, but the gap is expected to narrow over time as the technology matures.
Here's a high-level comparison:
๐ Cars on the Road
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Average Cost per Mile (2023-2025 estimates):
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Gasoline cars: $0.60 – $1.00
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Electric vehicles (EVs): $0.30 – $0.50
(includes depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, etc.)
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๐ VTOLs / eVTOLs (Electric Air Taxis)
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Current Estimated Cost per Mile (2024-2025, early prototypes):
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Piloted VTOLs: $3.00 – $8.00
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Autonomous eVTOLs (future): $1.00 – $2.00 (projected)
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๐งพ Breakdown of eVTOL Costs (Current Phase)
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Vehicle cost and depreciation: High due to limited production.
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Pilot cost: Significant until autonomy is widely adopted.
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Battery/energy cost: Better than helicopters, but still more expensive than EVs.
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Maintenance: Lower than helicopters but higher than cars currently.
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Air traffic & vertiport infrastructure fees: Still evolving.
✈️ Future Projections (2030+)
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Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer, Lilium, and Wisk aim for:
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$1 – $3 per passenger-mile
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Comparable or cheaper than Uber Black or premium taxi rates
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Highly competitive for medium-distance (20–100 miles) routes
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๐ง Key Considerations
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VTOLs will never match ground EVs for short-hop costs.
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Their value is in speed + point-to-point access across congested urban areas or longer metro routes (e.g., SF to San Jose in 15 minutes).
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If autonomy + scale + battery improvements hit targets, they may rival or beat traditional taxis on cost per mile.
Summary Table
| Mode | Cost per Mile (Now) | Cost per Mile (2030+) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Car | $0.60–$1.00 | ~$0.70 | High fuel and maintenance costs |
| Electric Car | $0.30–$0.50 | ~$0.20–$0.40 | Getting cheaper with battery scale |
| VTOL (Piloted) | $3.00–$8.00 | ~$1.50–$3.00 | Premium service, very early stage |
| VTOL (Autonomous) | N/A | ~$1.00–$2.00 | Future of scaled air mobility |
VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off And Landing Aircraft, i.e., “Cars In The Sky”) https://t.co/S8lXdFFi61
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) June 5, 2025
