---
title: "Elon Musk’s Next Project May Be a Vertically Launching Electric Plane"
description: "While addressing students for the Hyperloop Pod Awards, Elon Musk shares what his 'next great idea' will be - the electric aircraft."
date: "2016-02-08"
modified: "2016-02-10"
authors:
  - name: "June Javelosa"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/javelosa-junegmail-com"
url: "https://futurism.com/elon-musk-looking-electric-powered-air-travel"
categories:
  - "Elon Musk"
  - "Future Society"
  - "The Industrialists"
tags:
  - "electric aircraft"
  - "elon musk"
---

# Elon Musk’s Next Project May Be a Vertically Launching Electric Plane

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Elon-Musk-is-thinking-about-building-an-electric-airplane-that-takes-off-vertically-A.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Futurism M.A\</em\>*

##### Planes, Trains and Automobiles

First came PayPal. Then there was the creation of [SpaceX](<https://futurism.com/falcon-9-successfully-launches-11-orbcomm-satellites-space-lands-back-earth>) and shuttling cargo to the International Space Station. [Tesla’s electric cars](<https://futurism.com/autopark-tesla-wows-impressive-upgrade-v7-1>) were soon to follow, then came the idea for the [Hyperloop.](<https://futurism.com/elon-musks-hyperloop-may-be-americas-next-moonshot>)

Now it seems [Elon Musk](<https://futurism.com/?s=elon+musk>) is looking into how to make electric-powered planes.

In a brief Q&A for the Hyperloop Pod ceremony, Musk was asked to tell the audience about his “next great idea,” to which he answered—

“Well I have been thinking about the vertical takeoff and landing electric jet a bit more. I mean, I think I have something that might close. I’m quite tempted to do something about it.”

https://youtu.be/ab2VVp1GfmA

##### Supersonic Electric Jet

This is not the first time anyone has ever considered creating an electric jet capable of vertical take-off and landing. In June last year, an electric aircraft managed to [cross the English Channel for the first time](<http://www.gizmag.com/first-electric-aircraft-cross-english-channel-airbus-cri-cri/38410/>). Denver-based Xti Aircraft Company has also been trying to raise funds to develop a prototype of an aircraft capable of a vertical-takeoff, which they claim may be ready in 3 years.

But as early as October of 2015, Musk started talking about the idea of creating a single aircraft that not only ran on electricity but was also able to take off vertically. “I think one could do a pretty cool supersonic, vertical takeoff and landing electric jet. That would be really fun… I have a design in mind for that,” he told Marketplace.

Hopefully, Musk is now ready to take it a step further.