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Rethinking the Skies: Exploring the Social, Environmental, and Economic Potential of eVTOLs for the UK
This report offers recommendations intended to bring the development of eVTOL technologies into closer alignment with UK publics’ concerns, expectations and hopes.
Innovation in electric aviation technologies and a growing need for clean transportation could see next generation eVTOL technologies, systems and services boosting sustainable connectivity between poorly connected regions and communities across the UK.
Commissioned by the Department for Transport, and with the underpinning research funded by the Department for Transport and UK Research and Innovation, this report launched at the Farnborough International Airshow, Rethinking the Skies: Exploring the Social, Environmental, and Economic Potential of eVTOLs for the UK, outlines key recommendations intended to bring the development of eVTOL technologies, systems and services into closer alignment with UK publics’ needs, concerns and expectations.
The report makes a number of key recommendations on the development of eVTOL technologies, systems and services:
- Transparency and Engagement – Early community and public engagement is vital as eVTOL technologies, systems and services transition from development and demonstration towards wider deployment.
- Distributed benefits – Future eVTOL technologies, systems and services should be implemented around existing transportation and connectivity challenges experienced across the UK.
- Skills – Development of the workforce and UK skills base is required to support emerging eVTOL technologies, systems and services.
- Sustainability – Further independent research is needed on the sustainability and environmental impacts of eVTOLs and where benefits are identified these should be communicated.
- Regulation – Clear and robust regulation of eVTOLs is necessary prior to their roll out to ensure public support.
- Collaboration – Engagement and awareness raising is urgently required across local, regional, devolved, and national government.
