XPeng Launches Flying Car Division With First Production eVTOL
XPeng Takes to the Skies
XPeng Inc. has officially launched its flying car division AeroHT's first production vehicle — the Land Aircraft Carrier — a modular system comprising a ground vehicle and a detachable electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The system was unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show with a price tag of 998,000 yuan ($140,000) and deliveries planned for Q4 2026.
XPeng chairman He Xiaopeng said the product "is not a concept. It has passed Chinese civil aviation airworthiness certification for the aircraft module and automotive homologation for the ground vehicle." He estimated annual production capacity of 10,000 units in the first year.
How It Works
The ground vehicle is a six-wheeled SUV with a fully enclosed cargo bay that houses the folded eVTOL aircraft. At a designated takeoff point, the eVTOL deploys from the cargo bay, unfolds its six rotors, and takes off with two passengers. The ground vehicle can be parked or driven separately.
The eVTOL module has a flight range of 25 kilometers at speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour, with a flight ceiling of 300 meters. The aircraft uses a redundant flight control system with triple-redundant power and avionics. Flight time on a full charge is approximately 25 minutes.
Regulatory Status
The eVTOL module has received a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for operation in designated low-altitude airspace. China has been more aggressive than most countries in opening low-altitude airspace for commercial eVTOL operations, with pilot programs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hefei.
Operations will initially be limited to approved corridors — scenic routes, urban air taxi paths, and emergency transport routes. XPeng is working with local governments to establish vertiport infrastructure at shopping centers, hospitals, and transportation hubs.
Market Potential
Skeptics question whether there is real consumer demand for a $140,000 vehicle with limited flight capability. XPeng says early reservation data is encouraging, with over 3,000 deposits received in the first month after the reveal. Most buyers are in tier-one Chinese cities — Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
Morgan Stanley's Tim Hsiao called the product "a proof of concept for personal air mobility. The near-term market is small, but XPeng is building capabilities and regulatory relationships that could prove valuable if urban air mobility scales as projected." The firm estimates the global eVTOL market will reach $50 billion by 2040.
