China’s flying car industry gains momentum, leveraging its EV supply chain and government support, with commercial operations planned within three years
GUANGZHOU: China’s flying car sector is gaining altitude, propelled by the nation’s advanced electric vehicle and drone industries.
At a Guangzhou factory, workers inspect a newly assembled two-seater aircraft undergoing trial mass production.
Globally, the flying car industry has struggled with technical and regulatory hurdles preventing widespread adoption.
Chinese firms are capitalising on rapid EV and drone development, supported by government backing for futuristic transport.
“China has the potential to establish a competitive edge for flying cars,” said Tsinghua University professor Zhang Yangjun.
“Future competition will increasingly hinge upon cost control and supply-chain efficiency, where China holds clear advantages.”
The Aridge factory, an arm of Chinese EV maker XPeng, features logistics robots transporting components through brightly lit production areas.
Their six-propeller aircraft takes off vertically and stores within a wheeled “mothership” vehicle, creating the modular “Land Aircraft Carrier” system.
The factory can produce one unit every 30 minutes at full capacity following its November trial production launch.
Aridge plans to begin deliveries next year with over 7,000 pre-orders already received.
“Regulations, consumer comfort, airspace management and supply chains all need to catch up gradually,” said Aridge vice president Michael Du.
Global competition intensifies as Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a flying car prototype debut within weeks.
“If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that,” Musk told a podcast.
American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss created the first flying car prototype in 1917.
Electric motor and battery advancements have enabled successful designs only in recent years.
Major players including Joby, Archer, Aridge, EHang and Volant have conducted manned test flights.
EHang became the world’s first flying car company to receive full commercial operation approval this year.
The Chinese company plans to launch an air taxi service within three years, priced similarly to premium road taxis.
“Flying cars remain at an early developmental stage,” said Professor Zhang, who edited a white paper on China’s flying car industry.
Beijing has designated the “low-altitude economy” including flying cars and drones as a strategic priority for the next five years.
Provincial governments from Guangdong to Sichuan are loosening restrictions to accelerate development.
A Boston Consulting Group report predicts China’s flying car market will be worth $41 billion by 2040.
The sector faces challenges elsewhere, with European insolvencies and US companies burning cash without achieving mass production.
“In terms of the EV supply chain, China is far in the lead,” said Beijing-based investor Brandon Wang.
Flying cars can utilise EV components once certified for aviation use, potentially helping Chinese companies scale production.
China’s “engineer dividend” enables companies to quickly resolve technical production issues, Wang added. – AFP
