The skies of the Philippines might soon be zipping with ‘flying cars‘. The Luft Pinoy, a hybrid of an electric minivan and an airplane, is currently being developed by Florida-based startup LuftCar and the Philippines’ eFrancisco Motor Corporation (eFMC).
The Luft Pinoy is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle that can traverse the more than 7,101 islands of the archipelago. A prototype is slated for completion before the end of 2024.
eVTOLs are tailor-made to the country’s unique topography. The technology promises to revolutionize public transportation and sectors like tourism, emergency services, and law enforcement. It is also expected to play a pivotal role in disaster relief efforts, a critical need given the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural calamities.
The project found a home in Camarines Norte, within eFMC’s 200-hectare Special Economic Zone, now called Ground Zero. LuftCar plans to mass-produce the airframes in partnership with eFMC.
This isn’t the only ‘flying car’ in the works in the Philippines. In February, German air mobility firm Lilium and local aviation services company PhilJets announced their partnership to bring their eVTOLs called Lilium Jets to the Philippines. PhilJets is eyeing to buy an initial 10 units, which can carry up to six passengers.
