In the growing list of developing eVTOLs - the Alaka'i Skai gets it right

These days, there is a growing amount of companies big and small, jumping onto the eVTOL bandwagon. And this isn't bad at all - actually, it's awesome. For the first time in history, we seemed to be in a day and age where creativity and technology are finally starting to catch up with one another. But, there are drawbacks. If you've looked at the proposed flight times of many of these vehicles, you'll notice a common theme - 20 minutes to an hour tops. It is said that these entrepreneurs are very aware of this power source limitation, and are waiting for developing tech, solid state batteries, to arrive in a safe, usable stage - which will power their air machines with plenty of power. It seems that a new startup, Alaka'i (based in Hopkinton, MA), will break this "lithium ion ceiling" with their prototype eVTOL/flying car - the Alaka'i Skai.

The Skai is a VTOL aircraft that is banking on hydrogen as it's power source. According to the start up, this will allow the vehicle to achieve a glorious 400 mile range. Of course, this means extremely clean emissions - a huge selling point. Also, the craft can be used in several roles; cab (air taxi), a medical vehicle, for cargo hauls and as a personal vehicle. It seats five people with room for luggage.

Hydrogen appears to be the final link in the chain that will give us the flying cars we want along with the freedom of extended flight time. It's a wonder why Alaka'i appears to be one of the only companies investing in this set up. It could be that a hydrogen fuel cell system is much more complex from a design standpoint and development time is much more lengthy (and dangerous), and more costly. In addition, hydrogen is a lot harder to come by as it's more difficult to extract currently. And as a new set up - it could be pretty risky tinkering around with such a new system.

But these issues set aside - I think Alaka'i is on to something here. This prototype already feels like a second generation flying car. Depend on how development goes - this eVTOL could be the "model" flying car that boosts the flying car industry.