Ehang

eHang is throwing down the gauntlet in the air taxi space with the unveiling of its autonomous VT35 eVTOL. This long-range aircraft took to the skies ahead of an official launch event today in China, and you can see it in action.

Tickets for autonomous flights over two tourist spots in China should go on sale shortly. China's civil aviation authority has given the green light for EHang to begin low-altitude commercial operations with its EH216-S eVTOL.

China's EHang has completed what it calls the world's first solid-state battery test in a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL. With nearly 500 Wh/kg of energy density, the solid-state battery contributes to a serious boost in endurance.

Twelve months from now, the modern day equivalent of Ford's moving assembly line will begin producing flying cars in bulk – and the equivalent of the built-for-the-masses Model T Ford is very likely to be the XPeng AeroHT Modular Flying Car.

Imagine stepping into an empty aircraft and soaring through the air to take in the scenery ... without a pilot. EHang is determined to make that a near-term reality. It recently hosted an event to demonstrate the forthcoming travel alternative.

While some other urban air mobility startups are still just producing renderings, eHang's EH 216 eVTOL has already been leared for commercial air taxi work in China. The company has now gone a step further, by announcing the retail price.

Way back at CES 2016, eHang stunned the world with a little autonomous passenger-carrying octacopter concept. Seven years later, that concept has evolved into the world's first fully certified eVTOL air taxi, cleared for commercial air taxi work.

eHang is set to become the world's first company to get an electric VTOL air taxi type certified and into commercial service, after successfully completing its entire flight test program with China's aviation authority. Oh, and it's autonomous.

It seems China's about to win the race to commercial, autonomous, electric VTOL air taxi operations, with daylight a distant second. eHang says its EH216 could be fully certified within months, several years ahead of competitors from the USA and EU.

eHang has released video of what we believe to be the world's first full-scale eVTOL manufacturing plant, leveraging China's much looser domestic aviation regulations to get a significant jump start on American and European air taxi manufacturers.

China's most prominent eVTOL manufacturer has announced a new long-range "lift and cruise" aircraft for inter-city travel. The EHang VT-30 will take two passengers up to 300 km (186 miles) under completely autonomous control.

Hundreds of eVTOL companies are jostling for position as next-gen flying taxis approach their prime-time debut – but which of these futuristic aircraft will really take off? Sergio Cecutta talks us through his "Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index."