EHang Holdings, a Chinese passenger drone maker, is pioneering the development of flying taxis with ambitious plans to introduce them to mainland China by 2030. According to Conor Yang, the company’s chief financial officer, “I believe that by 2030, China will likely have fixed-route air shuttle services.”[1][2] Yang also noted that in cities with sufficient infrastructure such as take-off and landing points, air taxi services could potentially emerge even sooner[1].
## Current Progress and Certification
EHang has already achieved a significant milestone in the urban air mobility sector. In March 2025, EHang and its joint venture partner Hefei Heyi Aviation became the first companies globally to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to operate autonomous passenger drones[1][2]. This certification represents a breakthrough in the regulatory framework necessary for commercial aerial passenger transport.
The company is currently conducting trial flights in Guangzhou and Hefei to collect and analyze operational data[1]. These trials are crucial preparation before EHang launches services in designated areas in these two cities, which is planned by the end of 2025[1][4].
## Aircraft Specifications and Expansion Plans
EHang’s certified model, the EH216-S, is a twin-passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with impressive specifications:
– Top speed: 130 km/h
– Range: 30 km
– Price: 2.39 million yuan (US$331,000) on Taobao[1][2]
The company is also planning to expand its product line with the introduction of its new VT-35 model in the second quarter of 2025[2]. This new aircraft is specifically designed for intercity travel, cross-bay, and cross-mountain journeys, potentially extending the range and capabilities of EHang’s air mobility offerings[2].
EHang has ambitious production plans, aiming to increase its annual aircraft production from 300 to 1,000 units by the end of 2025[2]. The company is also developing two new battery solutions to be introduced later this year, likely to improve the performance and efficiency of their aircraft[2].
## International Interest and Market Potential
EHang is not limiting its vision to China. Yang mentioned that the company is seeing strong interest in its services from overseas markets, particularly in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America[1][4]. EHang is already in discussions with Thailand’s civil aviation authorities after completing its maiden passenger flight in Bangkok in November[1].
The growth of China’s low-altitude economy, which includes industries operating aerial vehicles below 1,000 meters, is expected to be substantial. According to CAAC projections, this sector could reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025 and 2.5 trillion yuan by 2035[2]. The China Low Altitude Economic Alliance estimates that the country could have up to 100,000 eVTOLs in operation by 2030[2], indicating the scale of the market that EHang is positioning itself to capture.