Photo: EHang
Chinese eVTOL maker EHang is ready to expand its presence in the UAE following a recent agreement signed at the DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi.
DRIFTx was held from April 25 to 26 at the Yas Marina Circuit, and it was a significant platform dedicated to zero-emission, autonomous technologies ranging from eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) to boats and cars.
It was the perfect place for EHang and Abu Dhabi authorities to outline the plan for future pilot-free air taxi services in the area. The Chinese manufacturer, which became the official world leader in terms of certified autonomous air taxi technology, signed an agreement with ADIO (the Abu Dhabi Investment Office) and MLG (Multi Level Group). With support from these two partners, EHang is ready to set up regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi and gradually implement all the steps for commercial air taxi services.
Abu Dhabi has big plans when it comes to the most innovative solutions for green means of transportation, and eVTOLs are a big part of that. The Californian Joby also signed an important agreement at DRIFTx 2024, which will pave the way for regular air taxi flights between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the near future.
EHang brings the added benefit of autonomous operations. The EH216-S is still the only pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL to have obtained type certification (in this case, the certification was awarded by China's Civil Aviation Authority).
After securing the certification, the Chinese company didn't waste any time in taking the next step. Earlier this month, EHang obtained the PC (Production Certificate) that allows it to officially start mass-producing its flagship aircraft. It was another huge milestone after the CAAC-issued TC (Type Certificate) for the EH216-S, which was the first of its kind worldwide.
EHang isn't planning to play small. Its international customer base includes partners all the way from Spain to Japan. The EH216-S has also recently completed its first flight in Costa Rica and is gearing up for commercial service in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
This recent agreement comes after EHang officially became part of the SAVI (Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries) Cluster last year. As its name shows, SAVI was created by Abu Dhabi authorities specifically to encourage autonomous mobility alternatives in the area. The Chinese manufacturer had also joined forces with an Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer, Monarch Airplane Manufacturing, earlier that year in order to set up what would become the first eVTOL manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.
The official price for the autonomous EH216-S was also officially confirmed by EHang at the beginning of this year: RMB 2.39 million (approximately $330,000) per unit. The two-seat eVTOL is designed to cover no more than 30 km (18.6 miles) per charge at a top speed of 130 kph (80 mph).
It was the perfect place for EHang and Abu Dhabi authorities to outline the plan for future pilot-free air taxi services in the area. The Chinese manufacturer, which became the official world leader in terms of certified autonomous air taxi technology, signed an agreement with ADIO (the Abu Dhabi Investment Office) and MLG (Multi Level Group). With support from these two partners, EHang is ready to set up regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi and gradually implement all the steps for commercial air taxi services.
Abu Dhabi has big plans when it comes to the most innovative solutions for green means of transportation, and eVTOLs are a big part of that. The Californian Joby also signed an important agreement at DRIFTx 2024, which will pave the way for regular air taxi flights between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the near future.
EHang brings the added benefit of autonomous operations. The EH216-S is still the only pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL to have obtained type certification (in this case, the certification was awarded by China's Civil Aviation Authority).
After securing the certification, the Chinese company didn't waste any time in taking the next step. Earlier this month, EHang obtained the PC (Production Certificate) that allows it to officially start mass-producing its flagship aircraft. It was another huge milestone after the CAAC-issued TC (Type Certificate) for the EH216-S, which was the first of its kind worldwide.
EHang isn't planning to play small. Its international customer base includes partners all the way from Spain to Japan. The EH216-S has also recently completed its first flight in Costa Rica and is gearing up for commercial service in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
This recent agreement comes after EHang officially became part of the SAVI (Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries) Cluster last year. As its name shows, SAVI was created by Abu Dhabi authorities specifically to encourage autonomous mobility alternatives in the area. The Chinese manufacturer had also joined forces with an Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer, Monarch Airplane Manufacturing, earlier that year in order to set up what would become the first eVTOL manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.
The official price for the autonomous EH216-S was also officially confirmed by EHang at the beginning of this year: RMB 2.39 million (approximately $330,000) per unit. The two-seat eVTOL is designed to cover no more than 30 km (18.6 miles) per charge at a top speed of 130 kph (80 mph).
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