Autonomous eVTOL Maker EHang Says It’s on the Cusp of Type Certification

The Chinese firm wrapped up flight-testing for China’s Civil Aviation Administration and had its cloud software approved for trials.

Jack Daleo

Monday, August 21, 2023 at 04:37 PM ET

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EHang’s EH216-S eVTOL will carry up to two passengers on short- and medium-haul tourism flights. [Courtesy: EHang]

Key Takeaways:

Chinese company EHang is poised to receive the world's first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) type certification for its EH216-S aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), having completed all planned tests.
This significant achievement positions EHang to begin commercial operations as early as this year or next in China and Japan, potentially beating U.S. and European rivals to market in advanced air mobility (AAM) services.
Alongside the EH216-S certification, EHang also secured approval for its Unmanned Aircraft Cloud System (UACS) and is establishing strategic partnerships with Chinese cities to develop and launch urban air mobility routes and infrastructure.

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For all of the FAA’s recent efforts to promote advanced air mobility (AAM) services in American airspace and chip away at China’s growing influence on the industry, the agency and U.S. lawmakers may be disappointed by a recent piece of news: A Chinese company appears set to obtain the world’s first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) type certification.

EHang, a Guangzhou-based manufacturer of autonomous eVTOL aircraft for passenger transport and tourism services, announced it has completed all planned tests and flights of its EH216-S two-seater in the last phase of demonstrating compliance of its technology.