(Image Source: Oneindia)
Sarla Aviation, the Bengaluru-based aerospace startup backed by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and Accel, has begun ground testing for its electric air taxi. The company started trials of its half-scale demonstrator aircraft called SYL-X1 at its Bengaluru facility on December 22. With a wingspan of 7.5 meters, this is currently the largest privately built electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft being developed anywhere in India.
What makes this achievement notable is the speed and cost. Sarla Aviation built this aircraft in just nine months and spent significantly less money than similar programs run by aerospace companies globally. The team grew from two founders to nearly 70 engineers during this period. They also built a full-size static aircraft that was displayed at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January this year.
Ground Testing for Sarla Aviation
Ground testing means the company is now checking whether the aircraft’s structure holds up properly, whether the electric motors work well together, and whether all safety systems function correctly. This is different from earlier work done in computer models and labs. Now they are testing on actual aircraft-scale equipment. Once ground testing is complete, they will move to flight testing and eventually build the full-size version with a 15-meter wingspan.
The half-scale SYL-X1 was designed from the start with the goal of getting government certification. This distinguishes it from hobby projects or experimental prototypes. The company is building toward a path where the final aircraft will be certifiable and legally allowed to operate.
Electric Air Taxis by 2028
Sarla Aviation has already shown the world what the final aircraft will look like. They call it Shunya, a six-seater electric plane that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but fly fast like an airplane. Unlike traditional planes that need long runways, the Shunya can launch from rooftops or parking lots in cities. The company aims to start commercial operations in Bengaluru by 2028.
The Shunya can fly at speeds up to 250 kilometers per hour and carry six passengers plus cargo. Each aircraft will cost around Rs 7-8 crore to build. The company plans to charge customers between Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per ride initially, pricing it similar to premium cab services rather than making it ultra-expensive.
Strategic Funding from Zerodha and Others
Sarla Aviation has raised $13 million so far through different funding rounds. Nikhil Kamath from Zerodha and Accel are major backers. Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal is also an angel investor. Earlier this year, the company brought on board Rajiv Bansal, former civil aviation secretary, as an advisor. This kind of backing from both startup leaders and government officials shows the project is getting serious attention.
Future of Indian Aviation Taxi Industry
Very few countries are building electric air taxis at an industrial scale. By doing this entirely in India with Indian engineers, Sarla Aviation is positioning the country as a player in future urban aviation. The company has also secured plans to build a massive manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh that will handle mass production once commercial flights begin.
The ground testing of SYL-X1 marks the transition from designing on computers to actually building and testing real aircraft. It is one of the biggest steps toward making electric air taxis a real option for Indian city commuters by the end of this decade.
