China could have 100,000 eVTOL, or flying cars, up in the skies above its cities before the end of the decade.
Electronic Vertical Take-Off Landing – eVTOLs for short – offer a unique way to get around, allowing passengers to soar through the sky to get from A to B rather than sitting around in traffic.
Because they can take off and land vertically on the spot, there’s no need for runways.
As well as being used to transport passengers and as personal ‘flying cars’, eVTOLs can also be used for carrying cargo, providing medical services, and more.
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China is leading the way when it comes to flying cars
China looks to be ahead of the game as far as eVTOLs are concerned, with numerous startups making huge progress in what officials have called the ‘low altitude economy’.
Prime Minister Li Qiang has spoken out in support of the ‘low altitude economy’ saying in a speech earlier this year that it is a ‘strategic emerging industry’.
And the country certainly appears to be happy to lead the way.
Back in March, a five-seater eVTOL air taxi from AutoFlight completed its first inter-city demonstration flight in South China.
The flight took place from Shekou Cruise Home Port in Shenzhen and landed at Jiuzhou Port in neighboring Zhuhai and was able to shorten the three-hour road journey to around 20 minutes in the air.
This was followed in June, by Chinese company EHang unveiling an entire fleet of its autonomous flying taxis; meanwhile, Xpeng’s X2 flying car has got numerous successful test flights under its belt.
So China really does seem to be at the forefront when it comes to flying cars.
Industry experts suggested there could be 100,000 in use by 2030
And that trend doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, with the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance suggesting there could be up to 100,000 long-range drones and eVTOLs in the air by 2030.
According to China Daily, the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance has suggested that large-scale commercialization of eVTOLs will lower the price and make them more accessible to the public.
As the industry is still very new, the alliance, which is made up of more than 100 companies working within the low-altitude space, is optimistically cautious about the future.
“There is no mature business model for the low-altitude economy to learn from abroad,” Luo Jun, executive director, said in a statement to Robb Report.
“Many companies are both enthusiastic and confused about the low-altitude economy.”
The alliance is now hoping to work alongside cities in China to get guidelines in place to help roll out eVTOLs.
Watch this space.
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