China's rapid eVTOL development indicates vast growth potential

(ECNS) -- A six-seat electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) completed several parameter tuning tests in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Dong Ming, CEO of Volant Aerotech, said this is the first passenger-carrying eVTOL program handled by the CAAC East China Regional Administration.

“This type of eVTOL is designed for 200 kilometers to 400 kilometers short distance transportation. So far, the domestic intended order has exceeded 700,” he added.

In recent years, China’s central and local governments have issued a package of policies to support the development of low-altitude economy. According to a document released in late March, China was promoting the airworthiness certification of a number of new consumer-oriented general aviation equipment such as eVTOL.

“Compared with helicopters, eVTOL aircraft enjoys obvious advantages in electric, intelligent and unmanned technologies,” said Wang Zhanchao, executive deputy director of the Research Center for Civil Aircraft System Engineering under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. Powered by batteries, eVTOL has lower operation costs and is more environmentally-friendly.

Thanks to the booming aviation industry, new-energy vehicles, 5G and AI, the homemade eVTOL has gained quite a lot of technological edges over the years.

“China has initially formed a complete industrial chain for eVTOL system and spare parts production, eVTOL R&D and manufacturing, as well as practical applications,” said Qin Rui, director of the low-altitude economy and low-altitude traffic research center at Civil Aviation University of China.

According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 20 types of homemade eVTOL aircraft, which have a wide range of application scenarios such as passenger transport, emergency rescue, logistical delivery and low-altitude travel.

In August, the eVTOL aircraft developed by AutoFlight completed its trial flight crossing the Yangtze River. With a total distance of 25 kilometers, it took just five minutes. However, if driving on the same journey, it takes about 25 minutes.

Wang noted that passenger transport is expected to become the most promising application scenario for eVTOL, which can greatly alleviate the ground traffic jam and accelerate the cultivation of new business forms such as short-distance intercity air travel.

Some research institutes estimated that China’s eVTOL market generated 980 million yuan ($137.65 million) last year, which is expected to reach 1.72 billion yuan in 2024. By 2040, the global eVTOL market will exceed trillions of U.S. dollars. And China is expected to account for more than 20 percent of the total.