Rolls-Royce to unveil 'flying taxi' at Farnborough International Airshow

Rolls-Royce has become the latest company to announce plans to build a "flying taxi", which will be unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow .

The concept aircraft is a hybrid vehicle that could transport five passengers at speeds of up to 250mph for up to 500 miles without being recharged, the company said.

Rolls-Royce - the jet engine manufacturer, not the separate luxury car company - is describing the aircraft as "electric vertical take-off and landing" (EVTOL) vehicle, with its wings able to rotate 90 degrees to enable it to take off or land like a helicopter.

The company claims it could take to the skies as soon as the early 2020s and could be deployed for personal, cargo and military use as well as acting as a taxi.

Rob Watson, head of Rolls-Royce's electrical team, said: "Electrification is an exciting and inescapable trend across industrial technology markets and, while the move to more electric propulsion will be gradual for us, it will ultimately be a revolution.

"Building on our existing expertise in electric technologies and aviation, Rolls-Royce is actively exploring a range of possible markets and applications for electric and hybrid electric flight.

"Rolls-Royce has a strong track record as pioneers in aviation. From developing the first turbo-prop and jet engines, to creating the world's most efficient large civil aero-engine and vertical take-off and landing solutions, we have a very strong pedigree.

"As the third generation of aviation begins to dawn, it's time to be pioneers yet again."

The concept aircraft uses gas turbine technology to power an electric battery.

Rolls-Royce is only the latest company to enter the "flying taxi" business.

Aviation giant Airbus, ride-sharing company Uber and several smaller start-ups have all announced plans to develop similar vehicles.

So far, however, none have been developed and the flying car remains the stuff of science fiction.

If you want to see the flying taxi concept, or any of the other aircraft on display, the airshow at Farnborough Airport is open to the public on July 21 and 22. You can find full details here .