Chinese flying car sets world record for distance traveled

Revolutionize the way we travel, reduce traffic jams

Mr. Tian Yu - founder, Chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based startup AutoFlight said that the company's 5-seat autonomous flying car Prosperity I traveled 250.3km in a test flight on February 23, setting a world record for the distance traveled by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

This flying car model uses rotors to fly vertically and then switch to horizontal flight like a traditional airplane. The Prosperity I flying car is equipped with 8 fixed propellers for vertical takeoff and landing and 2 additional propellers at the back, allowing the device to reach a flight range of up to 250km.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Mr. Tian said that this achievement brings his dream of eVTOL closer to reality. “I believe that in the long term, eVTOL will become a solution to reduce traffic congestion, revolutionizing transportation and lifestyle,” Mr. Tian said.

Mr. Tian Yu - founder, chairman and CEO of eVTOL startup AutoFlight standing next to the company's product Photo: SCMP

The founder of AutoFlight also compared the advantages of eVTOL with helicopters when he commented: “Helicopters are very expensive and noisy. In addition, the operating cost of a helicopter can be up to 2,000 USD/hour while this fee in eVTOL is only about 1/10 or 1/20”.

In addition, because it does not require a runway, eVTOL is easier to operate, maintain and is more environmentally friendly.

Mr. Tian founded AutoFlight in 2016 with the goal of researching and developing eVTOL technology and manufacturing aircraft. At an air show in China in September 2021, AutoFlight first debuted the 4-seat eVTOL model V1500M. The Prosperity I model mentioned above is the latest 5-seat version of this eVTOL.

Mr. Tian said that the company has received hundreds of orders for the Prosperity I model both domestically and internationally, including agreements with domestic logistics companies. In addition to its application in the logistics field, Mr. Tian expects that the company's flying car will be used in transportation activities to islands, mountainous areas, areas with undeveloped roads, especially in search and rescue and emergency support.

For example, during the Covid-19 outbreak in China last year, AutoFlight used its small eVTOL flying car to transport nucleic acid test kits to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province.

The company’s next goal, Tian said, is to apply for Type Approval (a certificate of airworthiness and reliability issued by China’s aviation authority for a specific aircraft model) to put the Prosperity I into cargo service. After that, AutoFlight will increase production capacity from dozens to about 1,000 Prosperity Is per year.

The urban air transport industry is full of potential

According to SCMP, the successful test flight of the Prosperity I model reflects the fierce competition between companies in the eVTOL field in China as these businesses drive a wave of innovation in the world's largest electric vehicle market.

Previously, on January 30, Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group announced that its subsidiary Aerofugia had conducted a test flight of the AE200 five-seat flying car model.

On the same day, electric car company Xpeng Motors said that the company's two-seat flying car model X2 has been licensed to test manned flights.

Prosperity I flying car model by Chinese company AutoFlight Photo: SCMP

According to a 2021 report by Morgan Stanley Bank, the world's "urban air transportation" sector is forecast to become a $1.5 trillion industry by 2040, with China accounting for 29% of the total market.

Although it is a field with great potential, according to European Union policy, eVTOL manufacturing companies like AutoFlight need to meet strict regulations and must be certified for safety by aviation authorities.

China is also a country that has strict regulations on aviation operations. However, in recent years, the central government in this country has relaxed some restrictions to promote the development of the civil aviation industry.