eVTOLs incoming: Market outlook reports 1,044 vertiports being planned globally by 2028
The Jetsons may have come out in the 1960s, but in 2024, we are finally close to quickly traveling by air via electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. A recent market report from the Global Advanced/Urban Air Mobility Market Map team of AAM analysts has shared that companies around the world are gearing up for this transition into small sustainable mobility, laying plans to erect over 1,000 vertiports to support growing eVTOL networks that are inching closer to commercial operations.
While we’re still likely a couple of years from bonafide eVTOL air travel, the nascent clean mobility segment is growing and doing so quickly. eVTOLs, in general, have become a growing topic of interest across the EV industry. If you frequent Electrek, you’ve probably noticed that the coverage of the technology has increased tenfold in the past few years.
Every week, we are informed of a new aerial startup developing all-electric mobility technology. We have also covered several “veterans” in the young industry, reaching scaled production, completing manned test flights, and establishing partnerships all over the globe to implement the necessary eVTOL vertiports and charging infrastructure to enable full-fledged commercial flights.
Some of those companies include Archer Aviation, Lilium, and Joby Aviation, to name a few. The eVTOL industry is beginning to snowball, and a team of industry experts and consultants based around the world has compiled a new market map that supports that argument.
According to the report outlined below, a forecast of the global market map confirms at least 1,044 eVTOL vertiports in development that could be operational by 2028.
Report: eVTOL vertiports will continue to pop up worldwide
The full report, viewable here, was recently posted by the Global Advanced/Urban Air Mobility Market Map under Unmanned Publications Limited. The report includes both bottom-up site identification and top-down AAM development plans, including government publication of AAM regulations and certification standards, to provide accurate insight into the near-term global vertical port market.
According to the report, 1,044 vertiports are currently being planned for development between 2024 and 2028 worldwide. Still, several eVTOL operators remain implicit in their network launch plans and will significantly affect such aerial hubs coming to fruition. The report’s author, Philip Butterworth-Hayes, elaborated:
However, it is likely that eVTOL programme failures and regulatory delays will trim this total figure to a more likely total of 623. This is still a huge figure, given that this year it is likely that just 24 vertiports will be completed globally.
According to the forecast, only 366 of the 1,044 planned eVTOL vertiports have been contracted to named suppliers, costing an estimated $1.09 billion to build and equip them with the necessary AAM-focused technology, including chargers.
We recommend checking out the full eVTOL vertiport report as it offers an exciting insight into a young but fast-moving new air mobility segment, including a global market directory of each program that identifies each of the respective partners involved in each project.
The report also features a comprehensive country-by-country guide to AAM regulatory and market development approaches taken by national and regional governments, along with each region’s plans to advance eVTOL-based services.
We’ve seen regions like the United Arab Emirates, China, and Korea put funding and research into commercial eVTOL operations, such as air taxi networks. Still, the US has several startups looking to establish their services in North America in congested coastal cities like Los Angeles and Miami.
What do you think? Will we be able to take an eVTOL air taxi ride to the airport or the other side of town by 2028? Or will it take more time to get this nascent industry regulated to the point that people feel safe enough to test it out?
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Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.
Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.
SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.
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With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
If you love the look of the $230,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 off-roader, but think the 579 hp, 6,800 lb. electric 4×4 is probably overkill for occasional trips to the golf course and country club, this G-Wagen-inspired golf cart might be just what you’re looking for.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
G-Wagon golf cart gallery
SOURCE | LOTS MORE PHOTOS: Mecum Auctions.
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