Aviation In China, Air Taxis are on the Verge of Being Introduced

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Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Here we go: As early as this summer, the first commercial routes for Electrical Vertical TakeOff and Landing Aircrafts, or eVTOLs, are set to open in China. Spokespersons for the Chinese manufacturer EHang announced at the Paris Air Show that it could happen very soon.

The era in which you can fly from A to B in a flying taxi in China's major cities, largely leaving behind the endless traffic jams on the streets, now seems to be truly imminent. EHang is the first company in this new aviation segment to receive a license from the Chinese aviation authority CAAC for "manned eVTOL flight services for end users without pilots." A series of so-called vertiports—the equivalent of bus stops for the unmanned, two-seater flight drones—has already been built. Or perhaps they should better be compared to "heliports," as they also serve vertical takeoff and landing.

Initially A-to-A Flights

Test flights with the "EH216-S" model have already taken place. These still need to be individually scheduled and approved, among other things depending on the weather conditions. However, the first permanent, commercial flight routes may soon be launched in Guangzhou and Hefei, according to an interview with He Tianxing, the Vice President of EHang.

The first routes will be "touristic in nature," according to the company. Travelers will be able to board one of the flight drones, cruise through the air for a while, and then land back at the same vertiport. This is referred to as "A-to-A" flights in the industry. Gradually, however, EHang plans to introduce regular point-to-point flights, such as from specific locations in the city to the nearest airport. Only then would it truly qualify as a "flying taxi" in the actual sense, rather than the eVTOL initially tested on tourists.

Range of about 30 kilometers (approx. 20 miles)

The EH216-S, whose 16 propellers are fully electrically powered, currently reaches a top speed of 130 km/h (approx. 80 mph) and has a maximum range of about 30 kilometers (approx. 20 miles). These technical details make it clear that battery strength is still a critical bottleneck for the development of the "Low Altitude Economy," which is being actively promoted by the Chinese government. This economy includes not only flying taxis but also drones for package delivery or shuttle routes for helicopters. In general, the "Low Altitude Economy" refers to everything that will soon populate the airspace below 1,000 meters (approx. 3280 ft) in China. Those living in Shenzhen, Hefei, Beijing, or Shanghai should start preparing for the fact that quite a bit will soon be flying past their balconies.

Battery Partnership

Since the range of eVTOLs is desired to face even fewer limitations than electric cars, an announcement by EHang and battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech a few days ago has garnered some attention in the industry.

A "strategic partnership" has been agreed upon, under which the EH-216S eVTOL will be equipped with Gotion's cylindrical battery series 46 in the future, both companies announced in a joint press release. It will be a "customized solution" for electric drives, specifically developed for the aircraft, and "significant performance improvements" can be expected, including "greater range, stronger drive power, and enhanced safety," the statement said.

Especially for the aspect of "safety," the first users will likely be grateful, as they may soon rely on an air taxi to make it to Beijing Airport on time. (se)

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