Hyperdrive

Electric Plane Pioneer Pivots to Cargo Drones

  • Slovenia’s Pipistrel pivots after Uber partnership fades
  • Air traffic seen posing greater challenge with people aboard
Illustration of the Pipistrel Nuuva v300 cargo-delivery drone.Source: Pipistrel
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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.