Introduction

China is quickly becoming a leader in urban air mobility, with companies like EHang working on flying taxis (also called electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOLs). These futuristic vehicles promise faster commutes, less traffic, and a whole new way to get around cities. But while they sound exciting, there are some important environmental questions we need to think about. This article takes a closer look at the potential environmental impacts of flying taxis in China.

Energy Consumption & Emissions

Electric vs. Traditional Fuel

One of the main selling points of flying taxis is that they’re electric. Unlike traditional helicopters, which burn fuel and release emissions, eVTOLs run on electric batteries, meaning they don’t produce tailpipe emissions. This is a big step forward for cleaner air in cities.

The Electricity Source Issue

Even though flying taxis are electric, their environmental impact depends on how the electricity is made. In China, a lot of electricity still comes from coal-powered plants¹. This means that even though eVTOLs don’t emit anything while flying, the electricity they use might still be coming from sources that harm the environment.

Battery Production & Disposal

The batteries that power these vehicles require materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Mining and processing these materials can be pretty harmful to the environment. Plus, when the batteries are no longer useful, they need to be recycled or disposed of properly, which can create toxic waste.

Urban Airspace vs. Ground Transportation

Traffic Reduction: Myth or Reality?

• Save

People are excited about flying taxis because they could help reduce traffic by flying above it all. But there’s a catch: flying taxis might be seen as a luxury, and not everyone will be able to use them. If they aren’t accessible enough, how much of an impact can they possibly make in reducing traffic congestion?

Noise Pollution & Urban Life

eVTOLs are quieter than helicopters, but if a lot of them are flying around, the noise could add up. Constant flying taxi traffic could disrupt residential areas, hurt mental health, and even affect local wildlife. Setting noise limits and creating flight paths that avoid densely populated areas will be important factors in urban planning.

Urban Heat Island Effect

In cities, materials like concrete and asphalt absorb heat, making them much warmer than the surrounding areas. This phenomenon is called the “urban heat island effect.” If flying taxis operate at low altitudes, they could alter air flow and temperature distribution in the city, potentially worsening the heat island effect.

 Infrastructure & Land Use Challenges

Vertiports & Charging Stations for eVTOLs

To make flying taxis work, cities will need to build places where they can land and take off—called vertiports—along with charging stations. Building these will use land and resources, adding to the environmental footprint.² The energy needed to run these stations also contributes to the overall environmental impact.

Impact on Green Spaces

As cities try to fit flying taxi infrastructure into already crowded spaces, there’s a risk that green areas like parks or rooftop gardens could be sacrificed. This could have a negative impact on local biodiversity and reduce access to nature in urban environments.

Life Cycle Environmental Impact

Manufacturing Footprint

Flying taxis rely on advanced materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, and rare earth metals. Mining and processing these materials is energy-intensive and polluting, increasing the carbon footprint of each vehicle.

Lifespan & Disposal of eVTOLs

The environmental impact continues even after flying taxis are operational. The lifespan of these vehicles and their disposal when they are no longer in use also matter. If they don’t last long or get recycled properly, they could generate significant waste.

Local and Global Perspectives

Environmental Impact of eVTOLs Beyond China

China leads the development and deployment of flying taxis, but the environmental impact of this technology extends beyond its borders. Cities worldwide are exploring similar air-mobility solutions, but each faces unique strategies and challenges.

United States & Europe:

n places like the United States and Europe, flying taxis are starting to take off—literally! Companies like Joby Aviation³ and Lilium⁴ are leading the way in developing these futuristic vehicles. The purpose of these companies are to help to cut down on pollution from everyday transportation, like cars and trucks, by offering cleaner and more efficient ways to get around.

But, just like in China, these regions face a common challenge: the electricity grid. While renewable energy is growing in the U.S., many cities still rely on sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear power to keep the lights on. It’s a similar story across Europe, where each country has its own unique mix of energy sources.

That’s why the true environmental benefit of flying taxis really depends on what powers them. Sure, they don’t produce emissions while flying—but if they’re being charged with electricity from fossil fuels, their carbon footprint will remain significant. So, while the technology is exciting, making it truly green will take more than just innovation in the air—it’ll also need cleaner energy on the ground.

Developing Countries:

For developing countries, eVTOLs could be an exciting opportunity to skip over some of the challenges of traditional transportation. In many cities across Africa and Southeast Asia, traffic jams and pollution are growing problems. Flying taxis could offer a smart solution—taking to the skies and avoiding the crowded roads altogether.

This kind of leap could also help cut down on emissions, especially in places where ground transportation is still dominated by older, less efficient vehicles. By flying instead of driving, there’s real potential to make city travel cleaner and faster.

The impact depends on how things are set up. Many regions still struggle with access to reliable, clean energy. If eVTOL’s rely on fossil fuels, their environmental benefits could be limited. Other challenges include creating airspace rules and ensuring safety, especially in countries with underdeveloped aviation systems.

Still, with the right planning and investment in renewable energy, flying taxis could become a game-changer for sustainable transport in the developing world.

Urbanization & Air Mobility in Developing Countries

As cities in emerging economies grow at lightning speed, flying taxis could offer both exciting possibilities and a few big challenges. In many of the world’s largest cities—especially across Asia and Africa—rapid urban growth and a steady stream of people moving from rural areas are putting serious pressure on roads and public transport. Traditional systems are often stretched thin, and that’s where flying taxis come in. With their promise of fast, efficient travel above the traffic, they could really help ease the strain.

Important factors to consider include energy reliability and cost. In areas with unreliable or expensive electricity, electric flying taxis may not live up to their green promise—especially if they rely on fossil fuels. While flying over traffic sounds appealing, building infrastructure like charging stations and vertiports requires careful planning. Poorly planned development could harm the environment instead of benefiting it.

Localized Environmental Impact of eVTOLs

The introduction of flying taxis in urban areas will not only have a direct environmental impact but will also likely affect certain neighborhoods differently, depending on their socio-economic and environmental conditions. It’s important to consider equity in this context—how the benefits and burdens of new technologies are distributed within cities.

Impact on Lower-Income Neighborhoods

Flying taxis may start as a luxury transport option. Lower-income communities could face more noise, air pollution, and energy strain—without using the service. Vertiports and charging stations might be built where land is cheaper, often near residential areas. This could raise local pollution levels. Wealthier neighborhoods may enjoy clean, quiet flights, while others bear the impact. Areas already burdened by industrial pollution may see further decline in quality of life, even without using flying taxis.

Impact on Environmental Justice

Environmental justice plays a key role in deploying flying taxis. If cities introduce eVTOLs mainly in wealthy areas, only those who can afford them will benefit. Meanwhile, low-income communities will likely face increased noise and pollution without access to the service. This risk deepens social and environmental inequality. Governments must ensure fair and equitable development of flying taxis. It’s also important to ask: are eVTOLs truly essential, or could funding address more urgent societal needs?

For example, in China’s megacities like Beijing or Shanghai, the government may prioritize flying taxis in affluent business districts or tourism hubs, while underserved communities on the outskirts of the cities may receive no benefit from this innovation.

Conclusion

EVTOLs in China offer an exciting glimpse into the future of transport. While their electric engines are definitely a step toward greener alternatives, their overall environmental impact depends on how we manage electricity, infrastructure, and materials. If we want flying taxis to live up to their green promise, they need to be part of a larger, smarter plan for sustainable urban transport.

References

1. https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/energy-transition/013124-coal-still-accounted-for-nearly-60-of-chinas-electricity-supply-in-2023-cec ↩︎
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312296208_Environmental_Life_Cycle_Assessment_of_Universally-Electric_Powered_Transport_Aircraft?utm_source=chatgpt.com ↩︎
3. https://www.jobyaviation.com/ ↩︎
4. https://lilium.com/ ↩︎