EHang, a Chinese manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is poised to expand its presence in the UAE following a recent agreement inked at the DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi. DRIFTx, held from April 25 to 26 at the Yas Marina Circuit, served as a crucial platform for showcasing zero-emission, autonomous technologies spanning eVTOLs, boats, and cars.
At this event, EHang joined forces with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Multi-Level Group (MLG) to outline plans for future pilot-free air taxi services in the region. With the backing of these partners, EHang is gearing up to establish regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi and progressively roll out the necessary steps for commercial air taxi operations.
Abu Dhabi has ambitious initiatives for embracing innovative, green transportation solutions, with eVTOLs playing a significant role. Another player in this field, Californian company Joby, also made strides at DRIFTx 2024 by signing a pivotal agreement that will facilitate regular air taxi flights between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the near future.
EHang brings the added advantage of autonomous operations to the table. Its EH216-S model stands as the sole pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL to have obtained type certification, bestowed by China’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Following the attainment of certification, EHang swiftly moved forward. Just earlier this month, the company secured the Production Certificate (PC), greenlighting the mass production of its flagship EH216-S aircraft. This achievement marks yet another significant milestone after receiving the Type Certificate (TC) from the CAAC, a first-of-its-kind certification globally for an eVTOL.
Earlier this year, EHang officially disclosed the price of its autonomous EH216-S at RMB 2.39 million (approximately $330,000) per unit. Designed for two passengers, the eVTOL is engineered to cover distances of up to 30 km (18.6 miles) per charge at a top speed of 130 kph (80 mph).
