India’s urban mobility landscape could soon witness a major transformation as The ePlane Company prepares to raise $40–50 million (around ₹330–₹400 crore) in its upcoming Series C funding round. The Chennai-based aerospace startup is working to bring AI-powered electric flying taxis to Indian skies, positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s emerging urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.
According to a report by The Economic Times, the new funding round will be co-led by Speciale Invest and is expected to include a mix of equity and convertible instruments.
So far, The ePlane Company has raised approximately $20 million from Speciale Invest and other investors . The upcoming round represents a significant scale-up in capital as the company moves from prototype development toward certification and commercialization.
The fresh capital will support three critical areas:
The company is also preparing for commercial deployment in the coming years, signaling its transition from a deep-tech startup to an operational mobility provider.
Founded in 2019, The ePlane Company is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft specifically designed for urban taxi services. The company’s technology integrates AI-assisted flight systems to enhance operational efficiency and safety, while its vertical takeoff and landing capability eliminates the need for long runways, making it suitable for dense urban environments. Powered entirely by electric propulsion, the aircraft is designed to offer a sustainable and low-emission alternative to traditional transportation. With an expected range of around 200 kilometers, the solution is aimed at both intra-city and short inter-city travel. The broader vision is to enable fast, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly aerial mobility, particularly for cities struggling with traffic congestion and long commute times.
India’s major cities are increasingly struggling with severe traffic congestion and rising pollution levels, creating an urgent need for faster and cleaner transportation solutions. Electric air taxis have the potential to transform urban mobility by dramatically reducing travel time—journeys that currently take 60 to 90 minutes by road could be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes by air. Beyond speed, their fully electric propulsion system can significantly lower urban emissions, supporting cleaner and more sustainable cities. The emergence of this technology is also expected to stimulate a new high-tech aviation ecosystem in India, driving innovation, advanced manufacturing, and skilled job creation. In the long run, it could position the country as a serious global player in the rapidly growing eVTOL and electric aviation market. Globally, companies such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are already moving aggressively in this space, and The ePlane Company represents India’s entry into this highly competitive and future-focused industry.
While the opportunity is significant, the road to commercial air mobility comes with several critical challenges. One of the biggest priorities is ensuring aviation safety and securing regulatory approvals, which are essential before any passenger operations can begin. At the same time, improving battery efficiency and flight endurance remains crucial to support reliable and economically viable operations. The ecosystem also requires the development of dedicated infrastructure such as vertiports to enable smooth takeoff, landing, and passenger handling within cities. Equally important will be public adoption and viable pricing models, as the service must be both trusted and affordable to achieve scale. If these key challenges are successfully addressed, The ePlane Company could begin commercial operations within the next few years, potentially redefining how people commute across urban India.
The planned ₹400 crore funding round reflects growing investor confidence in deep-tech and climate-friendly mobility solutions. As India pushes toward sustainability and smart city development, electric aviation could become a key pillar of future transportation.
The ePlane Company is not just building aircraft—it’s building the future of urban transportation in India’s skies.
Follow Karostartup for more insights into the intersection of technology, policy, and the future of India.
Quick Share
