Have you ever wondered what powers those futuristic eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft)? The answer is simple—eVTOL motor! These motors play a key role in every phase of flight.
Let’s start with a quick question:
What matters most in a flying car? Speed? Range? Noise level?
All of these are important—but none of them work without the right motor. An eVTOL motor must be lightweight, powerful, and efficient. It also has to handle take-off, hover, cruise, and landing with reliability.
What’s more interesting? Most eVTOLs use distributed electric propulsion. That means one aircraft may run on 6, 8, or even 12 motors working together!
Let’s explore the four most popular types of eVTOL motors in use today.
1. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
PMSM is one of the most common motors in eVTOL aircraft electric propulsion systems. It uses permanent magnets and a rotating magnetic field to produce torque with very low energy loss.
Key Features:
High efficiency
Excellent power-to-weight ratio
mooth and quiet operation
Joby Aviation (USA): Uses custom PMSMs to power its five-seat eVTOL models, offering long range and low noise.
Lilium Jet (Germany): Uses 36 PMSMs with tiltable ducted fans to enable vertical take-off and jet-like cruise.
Beta Technologies (USA): Alia eVTOL runs four lift PMSMs and one cruise PMSM for full redundancy.
AutoFlight (China): Applies PMSM in its Lift+Cruise layout to boost thrust-to-weight and flight performance.
2. Brushless DC Motor (BLDC)
BLDC motors work similarly to PMSMs but with simpler structure and easier control. Small eVTOLs often use them, especially in tilt mechanisms, propeller control, or backup propulsion.
Key Features:
Simple design
Easy control
Low cost and high reliability
EHang EH216 (China): Uses multiple BLDC motors to form a fully autonomous, redundant flight system.
SkyDrive SD-05 (Japan): A compact two-seater eVTOL powered by lightweight BLDC motors for urban mobility.
Opener BlackFly (USA): Features eight BLDC motors in a lightweight layout, perfect for personal flight.
Ascendance Atea (France): Uses BLDCs in tilt modules and support systems to simplify mechanical complexity.
3. Axial Flux Motor
Axial flux motors are among the hottest technologies in the eVTOL field today. Their pancake shape differs from traditional cylindrical motors, making them ideal for thin, compact spaces. Commonly use single stator and double rotor structure.
Key Features:
Flat and space-saving design
High torque density
Perfect for wings, hubs, and compact nacelles
Evolito D500 (UK): Ultra-light axial flux motor built for eVTOL and electric aircraft platforms.
LAVLE (USA): Partners with Magnax to deliver integrated axial flux solutions for eVTOL and drones. With higher coil density, up to 98% efficiency, and a weight of just 16 kg, it can reach a peak output power of 200 kW. Its peak torque of 250 Nm.
Rolls-Royce Electrical: Develops compact liquid-cooled axial motors tested in several air taxi prototypes.
4. Induction Motor
You may know induction motors from electric cars (like early Teslas), but they appear less often in eVTOLs. Still, they remain useful where cost and durability matter more than peak efficiency.
Key Features:
No rare-earth magnets
Durable structure
Slightly lower efficiency than PMSMs
Volocopter (Germany): Tested induction motors in early prototypes, later switched to high-efficiency permanent magnet types.
eVTOL Motor Technology Advancements
As eVTOL development speeds up, motor technology keeps evolving. Manufacturers push the limits in design, cooling, materials, and integration.
Most eVTOLs rely on permanent magnet designs, and axial flux motors stand out for power and torque density. Engineers also focus on:
PEEK stator frames with high strength and insulation
High thermal conductivity epoxy resins for coil encapsulation
Soft magnetic composites (SMC) and amorphous alloys for cores
Grain-oriented silicon steel for reduced core loss
Carbon fiber winding for stronger, lighter rotors and stators
These innovations improve thermal management, reduce weight, and boost efficiency—all critical for safe, long-range electric flight.
eVTOL progress is driving major breakthroughs in motor design. From traditional PMSMs to futuristic axial flux types, every advance brings us closer to safer, quieter, and farther electric flight.
Custom eVTOL Motor Lamination – Choose Lamnow
If you’re exploring eVTOL motor solutions or searching for a reliable core supplier, Lamnow is company here to help.
We specialize in custom stator and rotor core manufacturing for PMSM, BLDC, and axial flux motors—tailored for eVTOL applications.
Contact us today for a quote or technical consultation.
