Chennai-based The ePlane Company Targets Commercial Production of Electric Air Ambulance Aircraft by 2028

India’s electric aviation sector is moving closer to commercial reality as Chennai-based The ePlane Company has announced plans to begin commercial production of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air ambulance aircraft by 2028. The IIT Madras-incubated start-up has already completed its first full-scale prototype and has commenced ground testing, marking a significant milestone in the country’s next-generation aerospace manufacturing journey.

According to founder Satya Chakravarthy, the company expects to begin flight testing between July and August this year while simultaneously developing its second prototype. The second aircraft will play a crucial role in the certification process, with the company targeting full regulatory certification by the end of 2027 before entering commercial manufacturing the following year.

Currently, prototype development is being carried out at the company’s facility located within the IIT Madras Discovery Campus. As the programme advances toward certification, The ePlane Company plans to establish a dedicated manufacturing facility or collaborate with an established aerospace manufacturer to support large-scale production.

The company has set an initial production target of approximately 80 electric air ambulance aircraft annually. The planned manufacturing scale reflects growing confidence in the future demand for sustainable urban air mobility solutions and emergency medical transportation.

Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are expected to transform emergency healthcare logistics by significantly reducing response times, particularly in densely populated urban centres and remote regions where road connectivity remains challenging. The technology combines zero-emission electric propulsion with vertical take-off capability, eliminating the need for conventional airport infrastructure.

The development also highlights India’s growing capabilities in advanced aerospace engineering, electric mobility and indigenous aircraft design. With increasing government support for innovation, aviation technology and clean transportation, start-ups are emerging as key contributors to the country’s future mobility ecosystem.

The ePlane Company’s progress positions India among a select group of countries actively developing commercial eVTOL aircraft. As the company advances through certification and manufacturing, the project is expected to strengthen domestic aerospace manufacturing, create high-skilled employment and support the evolution of India’s electric aviation industry.