News Desk
India is set to become one of the first nations to deploy an on-road vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air ambulance service nationwide, a move that could transform emergency medical response across the country.
A $1 billion deal has been signed for the delivery of 788 electric VTOL (eVTOL) air ambulances, a significant step toward integrating advanced air mobility into India’s healthcare and transportation sectors.
The agreement, though currently non-binding, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions as India’s cities struggle with mounting traffic congestion. The eVTOL aircraft will be supplied by ePlane Company, a startup incubated at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras), and will be deployed by ICATT, one of India’s leading air ambulance service providers.
Once operational, the service is expected to reach every district in the country, offering rapid medical evacuation capabilities that bypass gridlocked roads.
ePlane Company’s founder, Satya Chakravarthy, a professor at IIT-Madras, told Reuters that the startup plans to begin operations in late 2026. The company is gearing up for mass production, with an initial capacity of 100 air ambulances per year. While securing the billion-dollar air ambulance deal marks a major milestone, ePlane is also seeking an additional $100 million to develop and certify other eVTOL prototypes.
India’s eVTOL market has seen rising interest in recent years, with the government considering regulatory frameworks to accommodate the use of such aircraft for medical transport and future urban mobility solutions.
Companies like Archer Aviation, Sarla Aviation, and ePlane Company are at the forefront of this emerging industry, while global ride-hailing firms such as Uber are exploring air taxi services for metropolitan areas.
Designed to operate in diverse geographic conditions, the new air ambulances will feature a capacity for a pilot, a paramedic, a patient, and essential medical equipment, including life-saving devices and a stretcher. With a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and a range of 110 to 200 kilometers per charge, these electric aircraft promise swift, eco-friendly medical transport, reducing both response times and carbon emissions.
Unlike air taxis, which require extensive regulatory clearances and infrastructure, air ambulances present a more immediate and organic use case for eVTOL technology. “We can scale air ambulances much more effectively than air taxis,” Mr. Chakravarthy said, noting that the model allows for gradual expansion rather than a rushed market entry.
As India moves toward integrating advanced aerial mobility into its infrastructure, the air ambulance initiative marks a critical first step, positioning the country as a leader in the global eVTOL revolution.
