AMERICA — Ever since the Jetson’s, we’ve all looked forward to the promise of flying cars. But it’s not just a Hollywood dream anymore. <br /> <br /> <br />Several companies hope to bring electric VTOL vehicles to the skies. That’s V - T - O - L … for vertical take-off and landing. <br /> <br /> <br />Imagine leaving the office after a long day’s work. You go to your VTOL vehicle parked on the roof of your office. Within minutes, you’re soaring above skyscrapers and busy commuter traffic. <br /> <br /> <br />There are no traffic jams for you. A half hour later, you’re at your luxury villa by the beach. Sound far fetched? <br /> <br /> <br />It’s not if you’re Google co-founder Larry Page. Page is backing Zee.Areo, which is developing an electric VTOL vehicle. <br /> <br /> <br />Lilium Jet is another electric VTOL craft aimed at the masses. Lilium Aviation, based in Germany, is planning a VTOL with 36 electric fans in the wings. Its aircraft would reach a maximum cruising speed of 180 miles per hour. <br /> <br /> <br />The S2 from Joby Aviation will get you there in style. California-based Joby says the two-seater could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. <br /> <br /> <br />Even ride-sharing service Uber thinks one day passengers will take VTOLs to work. <br /> <br /> <br />Funding is also coming from DARPA, which is supporting several VTOL concepts like the Phantom Swift from Boeing. The Phantom Swift will initially use a General Electric CT7-8 engine, but there are plans to switch to an all-electric drive. <br /> <br /> <br />Experts caution it could be decades before VTOL aviation is fully developed. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer. The Jetsons envisioned flying cars more than 50 years ago.
