Indian Startup ePlane Lands $1 Billion Deal to Deliver 788 Electric Air Ambulances

In a major breakthrough for India’s urban air mobility sector, The ePlane Company, an IIT-Madras incubated startup, has secured a $1 billion+ deal to supply 788 electric air ambulances to ICATT, an air ambulance service provider. This agreement marks a significant step toward transforming emergency medical response in India, where traffic congestion often delays critical care.

Under this non-binding agreement, ePlane’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be deployed across all districts in India, ensuring faster and more efficient medical evacuations. Unlike traditional helicopters, these battery-powered aircraft require less space for takeoff and landing, making them ideal for urban rescue operations and rural connectivity.

A Game-Changer in India’s eVTOL Market

India's eVTOL industry is still in its early stages, with startups like Archer Aviation and Sarla Aviation also exploring the market. However, ePlane has taken a strategic first-mover advantage by focusing on air ambulances instead of air taxis.

According to ePlane’s founder, Satya Chakravarthy, the company plans to launch commercial operations by 2026, starting with an initial production capacity of 100 units per year. The startup aims to ramp up manufacturing gradually, prioritizing medical transport before expanding into passenger mobility.

"It’s easier to scale air ambulances first rather than rushing into the air taxi market," said Chakravarthy, highlighting the company’s long-term vision to revolutionize aerial mobility.

Specifications and Capabilities of ePlane’s Air Ambulance

• Range: The initial version will have a range of 110 kilometers (68.4 miles), later expandable to 200 kilometers for long-distance operations.
• Capacity: Designed to carry a pilot, a paramedic, and a patient on a stretcher, ensuring onboard critical care during medical emergencies.
• Takeoff & Landing: Fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) capability, reducing dependency on conventional runways and making rescue operations quicker and more accessible.
• Noise Reduction: Unlike traditional helicopters, ePlane’s aircraft will offer quieter operations, making them more suitable for urban air mobility.

Funding and Future Roadmap

ePlane has raised $20 million from investors and is now seeking an additional $100 million to scale up production, build multiple prototypes, achieve type certification, and kick-start mass manufacturing.

With this deal, India is poised to lead the global shift toward electric aviation, leveraging homegrown technology to improve healthcare accessibility, reduce response times, and develop sustainable air mobility solutions. If successful, this project could lay the foundation for a broader adoption of eVTOLs in passenger transport, cargo delivery, and disaster relief operations.

As urban congestion worsens, ePlane’s electric air ambulances could become a lifesaving solution, bridging the gap between medical emergencies and timely care, and redefining the future of India’s healthcare and aviation industries.