Eve eVTOL (Eve 100) – engineering prototype and conforming prototypes

Eve is developing a piloted electric air taxi for four passengers. It uses a "lift and cruise" layout: eight fixed rotors lift the aircraft for take-off and landing, and a rear pusher propeller, driven by two motors for redundancy, pushes it forward so the wing carries it in cruise. The design range is about 100 km (60 miles). Eve is based in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and Embraer is its controlling shareholder. Embraer supplies about 1,000 engineers, prototype assembly, industrialisation, quality, logistics and support under a services agreement.

Origins: Embraer showed an early concept on 8 May 2018. Eve was launched as a company on 15 October 2020, the first spin-off from Embraer's EmbraerX innovation unit. Embraer asked ANAC to certify the aircraft on 10 February 2022. Eve listed on the New York Stock Exchange (EVEX) in May 2022 after merging with Zanite Acquisition Corp, and has also been listed on Brazil's B3 exchange since December 2025.

Key dates: in mid-2023 Embraer chose Taubaté, São Paulo, for the first production site. Eve named most of its main suppliers between June 2023 and July 2024, and the first full-size prototype was shown at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2024. On 16 June 2025 São Paulo helicopter operator Revo signed the first binding agreement, for up to 50 aircraft. The uncrewed engineering prototype first hovered at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto test site on 19 December 2025, and the hover phase ended in April 2026. In December 2025 Eve picked BETA Technologies to supply the pusher motors for conforming and production aircraft. The first partial transition flight was announced in early August 2026: 3 minutes 9 seconds, 90 ft, a steady 27 knots, with the pusher propeller running.

Setbacks: Eve once aimed for certification and service in 2026. The target moved to 2027, and then, in mid-2026, to 2028. Eve said the extra time allows 12 months of certification flight testing. The binding FlyBIS deal (November 2026) covers up to 12 aircraft, much smaller than the 40 in its 2022 letter of intent. The total backlog fell from about 2,700 aircraft (August 2026) to about 2,500 (November 2026).

Status (Nov 2026): at its Q3 2026 results (5–6 Nov 2026) Eve reported 73 flights and 3 hours 6 minutes of flying. The pusher now reaches about 1,200 rpm, with forward flight at 45 knots, and 170 of 185 test points (91%) are done. Eve says it is 8 to 10 flights from full transition, at about 100 knots. Parts for the first conforming prototype, including large fuselage sections, are in production. On 4 November 2026 FlyBIS signed a binding agreement for 2 firm aircraft and rights to 10 more (about US$60m at list price) for routes in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The backlog is about 2,500 aircraft (about US$12.6bn at list price), of which 112 aircraft are under binding agreements. Total liquidity is US$470.4m, which Eve says funds operations through 2028.

Next: full transition before the end of 2026, then assembly of six conforming prototypes from early 2027, the next piloted flight in the second half of 2027, and ANAC certification with FAA validation targeted for the end of 2028. First deliveries are planned for late 2028. Eve has applied to EASA, with timing possibly later.

Milestone path

1. 15 Oct 2020

   Eve spun off from EmbraerX

   Achieved

   Embraer launched Eve as the first spin-off from its EmbraerX innovation unit, building on an eVTOL concept first shown in May 2018.

   Why it matters: It put Embraer's airframe, certification and support know-how behind an air taxi start-up from day one.

2. 10 Feb 2022

   Certification application to ANAC

   Achieved

   Embraer asked Brazil's civil aviation authority, ANAC, to certify the Eve aircraft.

   Why it matters: ANAC is the lead authority; FAA and EASA approvals follow from its work.

3. 18 Jun 2023

   First main suppliers named

   Achieved

   At the Paris Air Show Eve named Nidec Aerospace (electric propulsion), BAE Systems (energy storage) and DUC Hélices (rotors and propeller); about a dozen more followed by July 2024.

   Why it matters: Supplier choices lock in much of the aircraft's cost and certification work.

4. Mid-2023 (June per Wikipedia; reported 25 Jul 2023)

   Taubaté chosen for production

   Latest

   Eve and Embraer named Taubaté, São Paulo, as the first eVTOL production site, on Embraer land.

   Why it matters: A Brazilian production base links the programme to Embraer's existing supply chain in São Paulo state.

Milestone path

1. 16 Jun 2025

   First binding deal with Revo

   Achieved

   Eve signed its first binding framework agreement with São Paulo helicopter operator Revo and parent OHI for up to 50 aircraft plus support services.

   Why it matters: A binding launch operator in one of the world's busiest helicopter cities gives the order book more weight than letters of intent.

2. 2 Dec 2025

   BETA chosen for pusher motors

   Achieved

   Eve picked BETA Technologies to supply H500A pusher motors for its conforming prototypes and production aircraft, a deal of up to ten years worth up to US$1 billion.

   Why it matters: The pusher motor drives cruise flight, so this choice shapes the production aircraft's performance.

3. 19 Dec 2025

   Full-scale prototype first hover

   Achieved

   The uncrewed full-scale engineering prototype made its first flight at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto test site; the hover phase was completed in April 2026.

   Why it matters: First flight moved Eve from design into flight test, the stage where most eVTOL schedules slip.

4. Mid-2026

   Certification target moved to 2028

   Latest

   Eve moved its certification target from 2027 to 2028, saying the extra time allows 12 months of certification flight testing.

   Why it matters: Investors and launch customers should plan on late 2028 at the earliest.

Milestone path

1. 3–4 Aug 2026 (announced; flight date not stated)

   First partial transition flight

   Achieved

   The prototype flew 3 minutes 9 seconds at up to 90 ft with its pusher propeller running, reaching a steady 27 knots.

   Why it matters: Transition from vertical to wing-borne flight is the hardest test step for this type of aircraft.

2. 4 Nov 2026

   FlyBIS binding order, Southern Brazil

   Achieved

   FlyBIS signed a binding agreement for 2 firm aircraft and rights to 10 more, about US$60 million at list price, for routes in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

   Why it matters: It adds a second Brazilian operator, though well below FlyBIS's 2022 letter of intent for 40.

3. 5–6 Nov 2026 (Q3 results)

   73 flights, 45-knot partial transition

   Latest

   Eve reported 73 flights, 91% of test points done and forward flight at 45 knots, with 8 to 10 flights left before full transition; liquidity of US$470.4 million funds it through 2028.

   Why it matters: The flight count and cash runway are the two figures to track each quarter.

4. Before end 2026 (target)

   Full transition to wing-borne flight

   Planned

   Eve aims to complete full transition at about 100 knots, with lift rotors no longer needed, and to finish its remaining 10 to 11 critical design reviews.

   What to watch: Watch for the full transition flight; it proves the basic design before conforming aircraft are built.

Milestone path

1. Early 2027 to H2 2027 (target)

   Conforming prototypes, next piloted flight

   Planned

   Assembly of the first of six conforming prototypes is due in early 2027, each following about 30 days after the last, with the next piloted flight in the second half of 2027.

   What to watch: Watch whether assembly starts on time, as these aircraft carry the certification flying.

2. End 2028 (target)

   ANAC certification, first deliveries

   Planned

   Eve targets ANAC type certification and FAA validation by the end of 2028, with first deliveries in late 2028; EASA timing may be later.

   What to watch: Watch for slips, as certification timing decides when operators in Brazil and abroad can start revenue flights.