Two Xpeng AeroHT eVTOLs collided at an air show in Changchun, China, according to various Chinese and American media reports. At least one passenger was taken to the hospital with injuries, but these are not believed to be life-threatening.
The cause of the accident is still unclear. There have been relatively few incidents involving eVTOLs, or flying cars. Still, because this new type of aircraft, which is electrically powered and can take off and land vertically just like a helicopter, is still in the testing and demonstration phase, manufacturers can ill afford any negative publicity.
Practice flight
The incident occurred during a practice flight for the Changchun Air Show in Jilin, a province in northeast China, which begins today/Friday. The collision is believed to have occurred because the distance between the two aircraft during a formation flight was not sufficient. After the crash, one of the aircraft landed normally, but the other sustained damage to its fuselage and caught fire after landing.
eVTOLs can operate autonomously or manually, using a joystick. Incidents can therefore be caused by faulty equipment, an error in route planning, human error, or a combination of these factors. The vehicles have a 270-degree panoramic cockpit, can be deployed at altitudes of 300 to 500 meters, and can perform 5 to 6 flights on a full battery.
Currently, more than 2,000 eVTOLs from Xpengh AeroHT, the aviation division of car manufacturer XPeng, have been ordered. The average price tag for such an aircraft is approximately 2 million yuan, or roughly 238,000 euros.
The company also made headlines with the launch of the “Land Aircraft Carrier,” a robust 6×6 off-roader with a separate eVTOL in the rear that can be launched on site.
Booming market
In general, mass production of eVTOLs is expected to be in full swing from 2026 onwards. China, in particular, wants to focus on this, especially in the areas of logistics, agriculture, urban management, tourism, and emergency rescue operations.
Last year, a report by the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance revealed that air traffic networks and ground facilities for flying vehicles in big cities will be completed mainly within the next two to three years. By 2030, 100,000 eVTOL vehicles are expected to be in use in China, both for families and as air taxis.
By 2025, the market value is expected to reach 1 trillion yuan, or approximately 130 billion euros, and by 2030, more than 3 trillion yuan, or more than 360 billion euros.
