United Airlines raises bet on electric air taxis with 200 aircraft from upstart Eve

United Airlines is pouring more money into the future of electric air taxis, which the carrier says could help reduce carbon emissions once the aircraft come to market and replace car trips.

The carrier said Thursday that it agreed to buy 200 electric air taxis from Eve Air Mobility, an Embraer-backed startup, and that it has options to purchase 200 more. Chicago-based United is also investing $15 million in Eve, which listed on the New York Stock Exchange in May.

United said it expects the first deliveries of the aircraft as early as 2026.

The announcement follows an agreement to purchase 100 electric aircraft from Archer Aviation along with a $10 million deposit.

Other airlines including American have also invested in or committed to purchasing electrical vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft, or Evtol for short, arguing that the new technology could reduce emissions, particularly on short routes such as commutes to the airport.

Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, projected the one-way cost to the airport would be about $100 to $150.

Evtol startups still need certification from aviation regulators and questions remain about infrastructure for the aircraft, Leskinen said on a call with reporters. The aircraft would require infrastructure for takeoff and landing.

“But we feel good about the industry accelerating later this decade,” he said.