Electric-powered taxis that can fly at almost 200mph (320kmh) could be picking up passengers in just four years, according to a British firm.

The inter-city 'flying taxi' service could offer short-haul, inter-city flights carrying multiple passengers using piloted aircraft, according to the founder of Bristol-based flying company Vertical Aerospace.

Founder Stephen Fitzpatrick, who is a one-time Formula 1 racing team owner,  said his new venture will apply lessons from F1 racing to build the electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The battery-powered vehicle has a range of 93 miles (150km) with a top speed of 186mph (300kmh), with a more powerful model set to carry people 500 miles (800 km), which means it could easily take passengers to Paris and back.

It will work with regulators to win certification in the first stage of the air taxi project in 2022, representatives from the firm said.

In a later stage, the company will seek to extend the aircraft's range, introduce elements of autonomous flight and expand the number of chartered routes it can serve.

hightech.fm