​Have you ever wanted to live in the Blade Runner universe? Are you sick of movies and companies alike, promising you flying cars in the future, and then not delivering? Well, have I got news for you? The UK’s very first air taxi centre is set to open at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.

Vertical Aerospace, the Bristol-based company designing and operating these flying taxis, has described the new centre as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” as the new assembly line is set to bring us even closer to the flying future we’ve all been waiting for.

The taxi in question bares very little resemblance to the futuristic black cab you may have had in mind. In fact, calling this thing a car of any description, flying or otherwise, comes across as a bit of a stretch even to us. However, the Valo aircraft is fully electric, can carry up to four passengers and their luggage, and can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. We don’t think it will get a WLTP certification for that claim, so we’ll just have to take Vertical’s word for it until they lend us one for review. Real-world range test, anyone? I'm up for it.

The Valo uses electrically driven propellers, mounted to a fixed wing, to take off and land vertically. These motors and propellers can then tilt while airborne, to allow the Valo to fly like a regular plane. This blends the convenience of helicopter-like vertical take off and landing (VTOL) with the speed and efficiency of a regular aeroplane. Much like the V-22 Osprey (it's well worth a Google).

So, how is this any different from a plane or a helicopter? Well, it being electric is more of an achievement than you might think. Battery weight and energy density has made their applications in aeronautics very difficult. Rolls-Royce managed to create the fastest electric vehicle in the world when they built the Spirit of Innovation (387.4 mph), but even that feat of engineering had a maiden flight that lasted just 15 minutes.

The Valo is set to begin production in late 2027, with an initial run of just 25 aircraft per year, increasing to 900 per year by 2035. With 1,500 orders in the books, most of which are from airlines, Vertical aims to get the vehicles certified for commercial use by 2029.

So no, it’s not quite a car. And it's not quite here... yet. But it is electric, so that’s enough for us to be excited about it! Besides, a quieter, more eco-friendly alternative to short-haul helicopter rides is good news for everybody.

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