Gerui Wang

Opinion | How China is making its dream of flying cars, drones and sky cities come true

Policy, financial and infrastructural support is creating a conducive ecosystem for China’s ‘low altitude economy’, integrating advanced aerial tech into everyday life and urban planning

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An EHang autonomous aerial vehicle conducting a demonstration flight at the Baoan District Low-Altitude Economy Investment Promotion Conference in Shenzhen last year. Photo: Handout

Gerui Wang

Published: 4:30pm, 19 Jan 2024

The CES 2024 consumer electronics show in Las Vegas last week mesmerised tech observers from around the world with more than 4,000 exhibitors, from start-ups to tech giants. Over 1,000 companies were from China, demonstrating the country’s impressive contributions to global technology.

In particular spotlight was China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, after China was recently crowned the world’s largest car exporter, accounting for about half of global EV sales. At the tech showcase, Xpeng astonished with its “flying car”, the AeroHT eVTOL.

Built sleekly in the shape of a sports car, with propellers that unfurl, the futuristic vehicle evoked visions of flying vehicles seen in films such as Star Wars and The Fifth Element. The model, thought to be years away from broad use, completed a successful test flight in October 2022.

At CES, Xpeng also showcased its Land Aircraft Carrier, which comes with a separate aircraft that launches from the car, for which the company will take pre-orders in the fourth quarter this year, with deliveries to start a year later.

The Chinese government is keen for companies to continue making leaps in flying vehicle technology and last year announced a “green aviation” development plan, including for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOL. This is part of an official strategy to support a “low altitude economy”.

The low-altitude economy refers to a comprehensive realm of industries centred around civil-manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, including manufacturing, low-altitude flight operations and integrated services.