Ehang Launches Autonomous Air Taxi Services in China

The Chinese company Ehang has received authorization from local authorities to commence the commercial operation of its autonomous air taxis. This development allows the aircraft to fly without a pilot aboard in two cities in China.

The approval is specifically for Guangzhou, located in Guangdong province in southeastern China, and Hefei, in Anhui province in the east. Ehang has announced that this marks the official beginning of an era for manned flights at low altitudes in the country.

Customers will soon be able to book flights for sightseeing tours, aerial views of the cities, or other commercial services in Guangzhou and Hefei. Ticket sales are expected to begin shortly. However, there are certain restrictions in place: flights are currently limited to low altitudes, and each flight must return to its starting point, which means traditional taxi services are not yet permitted. Ehang has indicated that additional services, including urban shuttle transportation, will be introduced in the future.

The air taxi utilized for these operations is the EH216-S eVTOL, an electric multi-copter designed for vertical takeoff and landing. The vehicle measures approximately 5.7 meters in length and accommodates two passengers, with a maximum takeoff weight of 620 kilograms.

Powered by 16 electric propellers, each with its own motor, the EH216-S is equipped with eight arms for stability and performance. It boasts a range of 35 kilometers on a single charge, with a flight duration of around 21 minutes. Recharging the batteries typically takes about two hours.

While the current authorization restricts flights to low altitudes, the aircraft is capable of ascending to heights of up to 3,000 meters. The maximum cruising speed reaches 130 km/h, although the standard operational speed is around 100 km/h.