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E20 (concept design)
TCab Tech
Shanghai, China
www.tcabtech.com
TCab Tech was founded in May 2021 in Shanghai, China by Yon Huang Ng, CEO and other engineers. The company’s goal is to make reliable and zero emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM) aerial ride-sharing for the general public. The meaning of TCab translates to “time taxi” which is the mission of the company to offer affordable and time-efficient air transportation to the general public. (Image credits: TCab Tech)
The company foresees using Artificial Intelligence to help their aircraft navigate through complex urban air space to ensure safety for all urban air travelers. The E20 passenger aircraft will be built in China and manufactured by the Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. After two rounds of funding earlier in 2021, the company raised nearly $10 million USD. Reported in February 2023, the company has had another funding round, raising 100 million yuan (approximately $14.8 million USD).
E20 long-range passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
The E20 is a long-range passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft made specifically for advanced air mobility (AAM) and holds one pilot and carries four passengers. The aircraft has a futuristic design and has many safety features built into the aircraft. The E20 eVTOL aircraft concept design was revealed to the world in September 2021.
At the time of the announcement of the aircraft, the company has planned for a cruise speed of 260 km/h (162 mph) and has an anticipated range of 200 km (125 miles). The predicted maximum payload is 450 kg (992 lb).
For propulsion, the aircraft uses four tilt-propellers for both vertical and forward flight and has two double stacked rotors for vertical take off and landing (VTOL) flight only. There are six electric motors on for the propellers powered by battery packs. The company expects as batteries improve over the years, the aircraft will be capable of being fully charged in a half hour.
The E20 has no single point of failure in the flight control system and in the propulsion system. The main high wing allows passengers to enter and exit the aircraft with ease and safety and won’t hit their heads on the propellers. In case of an all propeller failure during flight, the aircraft can glide and land on a road or runway like an airplane.
Future developments
The first market the company foresees to be successful with their E20 eVTOL aircraft will be in the tourism industry. TCab Tech expects its production aircraft to cost in the seven million yuan or approximately $960,900.00 USD. After that, TCab Tech expects their aircraft will be used in the on-demand urban air taxi industry.
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
- Piloting: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 4 passengers
- Cruise speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)
- Range: 200 km (125 miles)
- Maximum payload: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Propellers: 6 propellers (4 tilt-propellers, 2 double stacked VTOL propellers)
- Electric Motors: 6 electric motors
- Power source: Batteries
- Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
- Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
- Wing: 1 main high seagull wing
- Tail: 1 standard fuselage mounted tail
- Landing gear: Tricycle fixed wheeled landing gear
- Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft.
Related Aircraft:
- TCab Tech E20 (sub-scale prototype)
- TCab Tech E20 (technology demonstrator)
- TCab Tech E20 (prototype)
Company Insights:
Resources:
- TCab Tech website
- TCab Tech Twitter
- TCab Tech YouTube Channel
- Article: Affordable air taxi travel expected to enter commercial use in China around 2024, Global Times, Sept. 6, 2021
- Article: Chinese eVTOL startup TCab Tech revealed fundraising details and design concept, eFlight Journal, Sept. 6, 2021
