Startup Sarla Aviation has begun ground testing of its air taxi demonstrator at its facility in Bengaluru. This marks a key milestone in the development of its electric aircraft programme.

The company is testing a half-scale demonstrator designed to validate core systems, including propulsion, structural integrity and safety architecture. The aircraft is designed using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, allowing vertical lift and landing while being powered entirely by electric systems.

The ground tests aim at a transition from digital simulations and laboratory work to real-world validation. This phase will help assess how different systems perform together under operating conditions before the development of a full-scale aircraft. The testing programme is being conducted in Bengaluru, where the aviation firm has in-house engineering and testing capabilities.

Also Read: Electric Mobility to Drive Jobs and Growth in India, Says Dr Jitendra Singh

Commercial Plans and Initial Developments
Sarla Aviation plans to make commercial air taxi services viable in Bengaluru by 2028, once regulatory approvals are secured. The current phase is all about the design of a full-scale aircraft, which is set to undergo certification and flight testing. The startup has raised about $13 million in early funding rounds, including a Series A led by Accel, to support aircraft development, engineering and testing infrastructure. Company officials have said the ground testing phase is critical to de-risking the programme and aligning future development with certification requirements.

Also Read: Geospatial Tech Boom: India Targets ₹1.06 Lakh Crore Market Size by 2030

Electric air taxis are becoming a global trend and are being explored as a solution to smart urban commuting. In India, interest in advanced air mobility has grown alongside efforts to build domestic aerospace and deep-tech capabilities.