February 17, 2025: India is set to become one of the select few nations to introduce vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air ambulance services across the country. This milestone follows a groundbreaking $1 billion deal with IIT-Madras-based electric aircraft startup, ePlane Company. Under the deal, ePlane Company will deliver 788 eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) air ambulances to ICATT, India’s leading air ambulance service provider.

These 788 eVTOLs will be deployed across every district in India, revolutionizing emergency medical services, particularly in urban and rural areas plagued by congested road traffic. The aircraft, which are electric-powered, will not only enhance access to critical care but also minimize environmental impact compared to conventional air or ground ambulances.

The deal is a significant leap forward for India's electric aviation market, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. The government is also looking to ease airspace regulations to facilitate the use of eVTOLs for transportation and delivery services. Key players in the industry, including startups like Archer Aviation, Sarla Aviation, and ePlane Company, are shaping the future of aerial mobility. Major companies like Uber are also testing prototypes for air taxi services, aiming to provide commuters with an alternative to urban traffic.

ePlane Company, founded by Satya Chakravarthy, a professor at IIT-Madras, is targeting the last quarter of 2026 to begin operations for its air ambulance services. With a production capacity of 100 units per year, ePlane Company is now focused on raising an additional $100 million to continue the development and certification of eVTOL aircraft. So far, the firm has raised $20 million from investors.

Chakravarthy shared with Reuters that ePlane is working on three prototypes tailored to different geographic areas and population densities. Each air ambulance will carry a pilot, a paramedic, a patient, and necessary life-saving medical equipment. With a top speed of 200 km/h and a range of up to 200 kilometers per charge, these aircraft are poised to significantly enhance medical access in remote and underserved regions.