China’s advanced air mobility industry has moved into high gear with the rollout of two new full-scale technology demonstrators and the launch of another startup.
- Aerofugia and Volant unveil demonstrators
- Vertax joins list of eVTOL startups
Geely Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely, unveiled a full-size demonstrator for its TF-2 five-seat electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi at a conference in Shanghai on Aug. 25. A few days later, Shanghai-based startup Volant Aerotech rolled out the VE-25 X1 demonstrator for its planned piloted four-passenger eVTOL.
Another Shanghai-based startup, Vertax, confirmed its plans to enter the market with the Matrix 1, a five-seat eVTOL that is designed to be flown autonomously. The company joins a growing list of Chinese eVTOL startups that includes pioneer EHang as well as European-backed AutoFlight, Pantuo Aviation and automaker subsidiaries Volkswagen Group and XPeng AeroHT.
EHang entered the market with a short-range, two-seat multicopter eVTOL, but most of the newer entrants are developing larger, longer-range winged eVTOLs, targeting intercity as well as urban air mobility. EHang has also aimed for autonomous operation from the outset, while most of the newcomers plan to be piloted initially and ultimately self-flying.
EHang is hoping for certification of its EH216S passenger eVTOL this year with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), but most of the later startups are aiming for first deliveries by mid-decade. AutoFlight plans to certify its Prosperity 1 eVTOL in Europe first, for more straightforward access to the global market.
Geely Aerofugia revealed its intention to develop an eVTOL air taxi with the first flight of a remotely piloted subscale model in December 2019. A full-scale aircraft concept was unveiled in June 2020, and the technology demonstrator is planned to fly by year-end. The company is aiming at both the passenger and subregional—under 500 km (310 mi.)—logistics markets.
The configuration has been revised. Where the previous design was a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL with eight lift rotors on underwing booms and a pusher propeller, the new layout has two tilting propellers on the inner booms for lift and thrust plus six lift props, two inboard and four on the outboard booms. Aerofugia has flown a subscale model of the tilting configuration.
Aerofugia, formed after Geely acquired U.S. flying-car startup Terrafugia in 2017, also is establishing a joint venture with Volocopter to manufacture and operate the German startup’s eVTOL in China. The Volocopter (Chengdu) Technology venture signed an order for 150 aircraft in September 2021.
Volant, meanwhile, has already flown a one-third-scale model of the VE-25 and is aiming for certification by mid-2026. The aircraft has a lift-plus-cruise configuration, with eight lift rotors on four underwing booms and two pusher propellers on the tail booms.
The startup was founded in June 2021. Founder and CEO Ming Dong was most recently with Chinese eVTOL startup AutoFlight and before that with AviaGE Systems. The Volant team has commercial aircraft experience with Avic, Comac, Airbus, Collins Aerospace, Honeywell and GE.
With a gross weight of 2,500 kg (5,500 lb.), the all-electric VE-25 is designed to fly a 500-kg payload 200 km at 200 kph (124 mph). The aircraft has a large cabin and, in addition to the basic passenger version, Volant is planning emergency medical service and cargo versions.
Vertax was founded in April 2021 by members of the team responsible for developing the flight control system for China’s Comac C919 airliner. The lift-plus-cruise eVTOL has 16 lift rotors on four underwing booms for vertical flight and four tractor propellers on the booms for wingborne cruise flight. The booms connect to the horizontal tail. Cruise speed is 200 kph and range 250 km.
This configuration “will be safer and easier to get airworthiness [certification],” says founder Ling Xie, adding that “the disk loading is low enough for it to be quieter.” Propulsion will be all-electric for urban air mobility and hybrid-electric for the cargo market. The aircraft is designed to be autonomous.
Vertax flew the one-half-scale model in April 2021 and is developing a full-scale demonstrator that is planned to fly by the end of 2022. The startup is preparing to apply for certification with the CAAC. “We hope to receive certification in 2026 and begin deliveries in 2027,” Xie says.
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