By Xu Peiyu
What once belonged to the realm of science fiction – zipping above traffic in a personal flying car – is rapidly becoming a tangible reality in China. A 40-kilometer journey that now takes an hour by car could soon be completed in just 20 minutes by air.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), China’s low-altitude market will soar to 3.5 trillion yuan ($487.69) in 2035. Recognizing the potential of this huge market, Chinese automakers are accelerating their push into the skies.
With overlapping industrial chains and shared technological foundations, automakers enjoy a natural advantage in the burgeoning market for electric vertical take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Several major players have already completed prototype development and moved into flight testing.
On June 12, Chinese automaker GAC Group unveiled GOVY AirCab, its first mass-produced eVTOL aircraft, now available for pre-orders. The AirCab adopts a modular, dual-body structure: the upper part is the flying module, while the lower half serves as a standard electric car. A single tap transforms the vehicle from ground to air mode, merging the convenience of intelligent driving with the agility of short-range flight.
Other Chinese companies are exploring similar dual-use configurations. For example, XPENG AEROHT, the flying car affiliate of Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG, unveiled the modular flying car “Land Aircraft Carrier.” Like GAC’s model, it features an airborne unit paired with a terrestrial vehicle base. Both fall under the eVTOL category, the dominant format currently being pursued by aerospace innovators around the world.
Experts say eVTOLs are favored for several reasons. They eliminate the need for long runways, relying instead on compact vertical takeoff pads. Traditional propulsion systems are replaced by batteries, electric motors, and rotors. Many also incorporate advanced technologies such as distributed propulsion with redundant safety systems, autonomous navigation, real-time obstacle detection, and emergency landing capabilities. These innovations not only enhance safety and reliability but also help reduce manufacturing and operational costs.
Potential eVTOL applications span diverse sectors such as tourism, logistics, and emergency rescue. Several Chinese automakers have already advanced to the testing and regulatory approval phase. XPENG AEROHT’s flying module has had its production license application accepted by the CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, with full certification expected by the end of this year. XPENG AEROHT’s intelligent manufacturing base is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter this year, with mass production and deliveries targeted for 2026.
Meanwhile, Aerofugia, a subsidiary of China’s electric vehicle giant Geely Auto, is preparing for manned test flights, aiming to obtain its type certificate by 2026. Chery’s “three-body” composite-wing flying car has successfully completed a test flight, while Changan Automobile has partnered with autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform company EHang to co-develop and commercialize flying cars.
Automakers’ enthusiasm for the low-altitude economy reflects its market potential. A report released by the China Low-Altitude Economy Alliance predicts that once air traffic networks and ground infrastructure are established in Chinese major cities, large-scale commercialization of eVTOLs is expected to drive down costs, making the vehicle more accessible to the public. According to the report, China could potentially see 100,000 eVTOLs serve as family vehicles or air taxis by 2030.
An Tiecheng, chairman of China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd., explained that low-altitude new energy aircraft and intelligent, connected new energy vehicles (NEVs) share deep technological and industrial linkages.
Both sectors share common R&D systems,, manufacturing processes, and end-use applications. Technically, NEV electric systems readily adapt to eVTOL propulsion, with approximately 70 percent of eVTOL components. This allows automakers to apply their expertise in large-scale vehicle production to the emerging field of flying cars.
Existing NEV charging stations and energy storage hubs can be adapted for eVTOL operations, including high-voltage rapid charging. Parking garages and logistics centers can be repurposed into take-off, landing and maintenance facilities. Smart transportation systems developed for automobiles can also be integrated with low-altitude airspace management systems, as they share similar technical foundations.
According to a representative from XPENG AEROHT, early operations will be confined to restricted scenarios such as suburbs, tourist destinations, and designated flight zones. From there, services will expand to include intercity travel and last-mile transfers between airports and train stations. The company’s ultimate goal is to achieve fully integrated “3D urban mobility.” Its “Land Aircraft Carrier” has already received over 4,000 pre-orders, and partnerships have been established for more than 200 planned flying camp locations.
Still, challenges remain. As An Tiecheng emphasized, gaps persist in key technologies, product performance, and supporting infrastructure. He called for the accelerated integration of artificial intelligence and next-generation energy solutions to drive progress, particularly in areas such as propulsion and safety certification. “Only through breakthroughs in these core technologies can we truly make the final step toward making commercial low-altitude flight a part of everyday life,” he said.
