Rahul Somvanshi
LuftCar LLC, an advanced eVTOL company based in Orlando, Florida, announced on January 26, 2024, that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership with the Philippine automobile manufacturer eFrancisco Motor Corporation (eFMC). The agreement focuses on “investment, development, integration, deployment, branding, and marketing” of a modular van powered by hydrogen that can both fly and drive.
Indeed, the two companies have agreed to collaborate on the development of the LUFT – PINOY eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) powered by hydrogen. LuftCar will lead the development of the aerial vehicle prototype, while eFMC will provide the chassis of the PINOY vehicle.
This vehicle will be able to both drive and fly up to 1,200 meters thanks to a detachable six-propeller structure that will transform it into an eVTOL.
It will have a maximum air range of nearly 480 kilometers and a top speed of just over 350 km/h. On the road, the performance of the five-seater vehicle will be lower as it can only travel a maximum distance of 240 kilometers without recharging, which is enough to connect Paris to Bourges.
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The flying prototype is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with initial applications in the fields of defense and freight. LuftCar will manufacture this cutting-edge aircraft in Camarines Norte.
eVTOL technology is designed to meet the unique demands of the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,101 islands. The applications of this technology extend to various sectors, including public transportation, last-mile delivery, tourism, emergency interventions, disaster relief, law enforcement, defense, and border patrol.
Santh Sathya, CEO of LuftCar, said: “Philippines and Southeast Asia have been of great strategic importance for LuftCar. Our flying and road vehicle concept is tailor made for connecting the archipelagos and serving cargo, air ambulance, tourism, and regional transportation verticals. Our hydrogen propulsion will serve long distance and heavy payload carrying needs in the region, LuftCars have a big role to play in defense in the region enabling ship to base and base to outpost missions.”
