The eVTOL startups are dreading the prospect of being held to the same stringent standard for certification as the 609. “It appears the FAA intends to certify the AW609 as a special class aircraft under FAR 21.17 (b) and before issuing formal powered-lift airworthiness standards, the latter widely anticipated in 2024 and that will largely impact eVTOL aircraft.
FYI: There will be various powered-lift aircraft certification catagories based on various requirements. So an eVTOL will not be certified under the same rules as a tilt-rotor.
The issue was the FAA planned to certify powered-lift under the existing Part 23 rules whereas EASA planned to create a new certification rule. The FAA finally realized their "error" and 2 years ago elected to create a new route similar to EASA.
The FAA special class process as been around for years and is a catch all for new aircraft certification that does not completely fit into an existing FAR. For example, the Bell 525 has a special class for its FBW system.
Regardless, with this new commonality between FAA/EASA eVTOL cert rules there are several recently release guidance documents that show eVTOLs will have their own specific requirements to meet. But from what I've seen I dont expect any formal FAA/EASA eVTOL full certifications until 2028. Interesting times ahead.