# VTOL Air Taxi Prototypes This Air Taxi Uses a Hybrid Powertrain For Consistently High Speeds By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2021-11-30 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-taxi-prototype References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/aircraft/hybrid-czech-zuri-evtol/) & [zuri](https://zuri.com/)  Zuri, a company based in the Czech capital city of Prague, has unveiled a brand new [air](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impulsive) taxi prototype that is designed to make use of [VTOL](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vtol-drone) (vertical takeoff and landing) technologies. This particular air taxi prototype is equipped with a hybrid powertrain that makes use of batteries for takeoff and landing operations, while a combustion motor is relied on for forward movement, with the final version set to offer cruising speeds of around 320 km/h and a maximum range of 720 km. As far as the design is concerned, Zuri has opted not to reinvent the wheel, instead relying on tried and tested cues such as enlarged wings and lift props that are capable of being set to low-drag angles. With the advent of this VTOL air taxi prototype, Zuri is looking to get ahead of the game and be prepared to service the market once [hybrid powertrain technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-horizon-aircraft) are sufficiently improved. Image Credit: Zuri ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **VTOL Air Taxis with Hybrid Powertrains:** Zuri's air taxi prototype uses a hybrid powertrain for takeoff/landing and forward movement - **Urban Air Mobility:** Zuri's air taxi is designed for shorter trips in urban areas - **Sustainable Aviation:** Zuri's use of batteries for takeoff/landing promotes sustainable aviation ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Aviation Industry:** The aviation industry can capitalize on the growing demand for urban air mobility solutions - **Green Energy Industry:** Green energy companies can benefit from the increasing focus on sustainable aviation practices - **Transportation Industry:** The transportation industry can look into integrating Zuri's air taxi into existing infrastructure to address urban congestion and transportation issues ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Revolutionary eVTOL Air Taxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evtol-air-taxi.md) - [Epochal Electric VTOLs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epochal-electric-vtol.md) - [Updated Air Taxi Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sa2.md) - [Uk Electric Air Taxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/l-aerospace-valo.md) - [Emissions-Free eVTOL Aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emissionsfree-evtol-aircraft.md) - [Electric Urban Flights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valo-evtol.md) - [Aerodynamic Gyroplane Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gyroplane.md) - [All-Electric Passenger Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joby-aviation-inc.md) - [Public Flying Air-Taxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evtol.md)