EH216-S, a domestic unmanned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying taxi model, has been granted mass production license by Chinese authorities on March 7. This is the first such license issued in the global eVTOL industry and signifies a significant step towards mass production and commercial operation of vehicles in this category. Developed and manufactured by EHang in Guangzhou, the EH216-S received type certificate and airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) last year.
The EH216-S is designed to accommodate two passengers and luggage with a height of 1.93 m, width of 5.73 m, and maximum takeoff weight of 620 kg. It features eight foldable wings and 16 thrusters that allow it to fly up to 30 km at a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The vehicle runs on green energy and is equipped with smart systems like flight control, battery management, and high-speed wireless network. With its comprehensive mass production quality management system covering different aspects like raw materials, production organization, quality control, pre-delivery testing, repair, and after-sales warranty, each aircraft leaving the manufacturing line meets design and safety standards.
China’s promotion of a low-altitude flight economy has been gaining momentum in recent years. The country will host the 8th World Drone Congress in Shenzhen city from May 24 to May 26, 2024 with the theme “Future low-altitude flight economy”. The congress aims to bring together nearly 500 domestic and foreign businesses to discuss advancements in drone technology and their potential applications in various fields like passenger transportation, cargo transportation, emergency care etc.
