The ePlane Company raises $50M Series C to certify its air-ambulance eVTOL
What's the deal? India's The ePlane Company has raised $50 million in a Series C round to advance its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The funding will primarily back certification of the company's air ambulance variant, the e200X.
Why now? The ePlane Company has finished assembling a full-scale prototype and entered physical testing ahead of flight trials.
It expects a second certification-conforming prototype by December 2026, including unmanned flight tests. Air ambulance certification flying is set to run through 2027 and early 2028.
The company has already signed memorandums of understanding with charter operators and air ambulance providers, which it expects to convert into pre-orders soon.
What could go wrong? Certification is a long road, and timelines could slip across the multi-year testing schedule.
The company is pursuing India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation approval alongside international certifications, adding regulatory complexity. It also depends on vertiports and charging infrastructure that partners are still building.
The signal: The ePlane Company became the first Indian private firm to receive Directorate General of Civil Aviation acceptance for type certification under the country's new eVTOL rules, introduced in September 2024 — a regulatory milestone that positions this breakout-stage startup at the front of India's emerging eVTOL race. With air taxis and cargo aircraft planned on the same platform, the air ambulance certification doubles as a foundation for a wider commercial roadmap.
Read more: The Mainstream
