Electric plane pioneer backs cargo drones to beat flying taxis

April’s deal in China, which has begun to license cargo drones, will see Pipistrel customise its Nuuva V300 model equipped with same electric motor in a venture with SF Express, the country’s biggest courier firm. — Pipistrel

The man behind the only electric plane cleared to fly quickly discovered the challenges of converting world-leading technology into profits in a hotly contested, futuristic segment of aviation.

Ivo Boscarol, owner of e-plane pioneer Pipistrel, saw a three-year partnership to develop a flying taxi with Uber Technologies Inc dwindle in 2020, after the ride-hailing giant reined in its aviation ambitions.