The World’s First Homegrown Certified “Air Taxi” Now Available Online
On March 18, the world’s first domestically developed “Air Taxi” by EHang, called EH216-S, which has received airworthiness certification, has been listed on an e-commerce platform with a price tag of 2.39 million yuan, and it even comes with “free home delivery”.
EHang EH216-S priced at 2.39 million yuan per unit (Image Source: CGTN)
The EH216-S can accommodate two people, measuring 6.05 meters in length, 5.73 meters in width, and 1.93 meters in height, and it consists of 16 propellers. It is a fully intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle capable of vertical take-off and landing, without the need for a runway, primarily operating in low-altitude airspace. It has a maximum straight-line flight distance of 30 kilometers and a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Managed by a ground command and dispatch system, multiple aircraft can perform orderly unmanned flights in the air.
According to the product information on the e-commerce platform, the EH216-S is currently in the pre-sale phase, with delivery within 30 days, a 7-day unconditional return policy, and “free home delivery”. So far, the store has accumulated over 10,000 followers, but its sales volume remains at 0.
This marks the world’s first airworthy “Air Taxi”, making it the first real product available for purchase globally on an e-commerce platform.
He Tianxing, Vice President of EHang, stated, “Although the EHang Taobao store was recently opened, our service capabilities are already fully equipped. After placing an order, professional team services can be tailored to the purchasing customers. We provide assurance in urban airspace approvals, flight route configuration, aircraft maintenance, engineer training, and other aspects in accordance with current regulatory requirements, enabling flights in cities where permitted.”
EHang EH216-S flying in Huangpu District, Guangzhou (Image Source: CGTN)
Previously, several airlines have conducted test flights with the “Air Taxi”. Data also indicates that as of October 2022, there were over 300 eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft development companies globally, including startups, aviation giants, travel companies, and car manufacturers. Currently, domestically, eight companies, including Volocopter and Xiaopeng, have secured financing in the flying car sector.
Information reveals that in October 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China jointly issued the “Green Aviation Manufacturing Development Plan (2023-2035)”. By 2025, it aims to realize pilot operations of eVTOL, with new energy aircraft becoming mainstream by 2035. The integration of eVTOL into a comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network will accelerate, initiating a safe, convenient, green, and cost-effective urban air transportation system.
On March 19, 2024, stocks related to low-altitude economy performed actively. Yongetech saw a 6-day consecutive surge, Sichuan Jiuzhou and Anbang Huwei hit the limit up, Laise Information surged over 13%, and Wanfeng Aowei, SGSB Group, and Wolong Electric Drive led in terms of gains.
News sources: CGTN, Xinhua News, Yangtze Evening News, Yicai, The Paper
(Source: Jimo News)