Chinese eVTOL pioneer EHang is rapidly expanding its autonomous air taxi services into the country’s burgeoning low-altitude economy. The company recently delivered ten EH216-S aircraft to Xishan Tourism in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, marking the launch of passenger-carrying flights in the region.
This is just the beginning of a massive expansion, with Xishan Tourism placing an order for 50 aircraft and aiming to operate a fleet of 450 autonomous air taxis within two years. These aerial vehicles will initially be deployed for sightseeing and tourism, contributing to the growing low-altitude tourism industry in China.
The broader plan encompasses creating a dedicated mobility network, establishing a low-altitude economy industrial park, and implementing advanced UAM traffic management systems.
EHang, a leading Chinese developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has rapidly expanded its global footprint with a series of high-profile demonstrations.
Following the world’s first certification of its EH216-S autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOL in 2023, the company has showcased its technology across continents.
From simultaneous flights in Taiyuan, China, carrying four passengers in two aircraft, to pioneering autonomous operations of three different eVTOL configurations in Abu Dhabi, EHang has solidified its position as a frontrunner in the urban air mobility (UAM) sector.
The company’s expansion includes successful demonstrations in Japan and Costa Rica, while it also secured certification for pilotless eVTOL manufacturing, paving the way for mass production. High-level interest in EHang’s technology is evident, with members of the Emirati Royal family attending the Abu Dhabi event and prominent local figures experiencing firsthand the future of air travel.
