China tests first electric self-driving air taxi
China tests first electric self-driving air taxi
2025-10-15 04:02
Shafaq News – Beijing
Chinese company EHang has conducted the first operational test of an autonomous, electric-powered air taxi, marking a new milestone in the field of smart and sustainable air transportation.
It is an electric, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) VT35, developed for use as an air taxi for medium- and long-range flights.
The new aircraft’s presentation was held in Hefei City, where the aircraft seamlessly transitioned from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight, a feat that highlights the company’s progress in smart and sustainable air transportation.
The aircraft is priced at approximately 6.5 million yuan (equivalent to 74 million rubles, or just under $1 million), has a top speed of 215 kilometers per hour, and a flight range of 201 kilometers on a single charge. Its maximum takeoff weight is 950 kilograms and it can accommodate two passengers and their luggage.
The aircraft can be operated via voice commands or advanced sensors that control navigation and interior climate. Its design features a double wing, eight lift propellers, and a rear propeller for efficient forward motion.
The developers explained that the aircraft’s compact dimensions, with a wingspan of approximately eight meters, allow it to land on building roofs, parking lots, and helipads, making it suitable for infrastructure within and outside cities. According to the company’s estimates, the aircraft could reduce flight time to less than 30 minutes, compared to approximately two hours for conventional cars over the same distance.
It is noteworthy that China had previously conducted successful tests of a large, twin-engine drone for commercial transportation, developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Innovation Co., which specializes in innovative technologies.
shafaq.com
