Visitors check out an autonomous aerial vehicle from EHang during the 2023 China Brand Expo in Shanghai on May 10. [Photo/Xinhua]
GUANGZHOU - Chinese drone maker EHang Holdings Limited obtained on Sunday the production certificate for the EH216-S passenger-carrying autonomous aerial vehicle system from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province.
It is the first production certificate issued in China for an autonomous passenger drone, and also the first one in the global electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry. Previously, the EH216-S had obtained the type certificate and standard airworthiness certificate from the CAAC.
Hu Huazhi, founder, chairman and CEO of EHang, said that obtaining the production certificate is an important milestone for the EH216-S to enter the mass production stage, as well as a necessary step for Ehang to advance commercial operations.
According to statistics from the CAAC, the size of China's low-altitude economy exceeded 500 billion yuan ($70.47 billion) in 2023 and is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030.
The EH216-S has a maximum design speed of 130 km per hour, a maximum range of 30 km, and a maximum flight time of 25 minutes. EHang delivered a total of 52 EH216-S aircraft in 2023.
Mom shopping in Target stunned by small print on Clorox wipes
Russia does not seek military conflict with NATO: Deputy FM
2024 Pudong Festival of Culture & Art opens next week
China urges Philippines to stop provocations in South China Sea
Miriam: Death Of A Reality Star review
At least 37 mothers killed daily in Gaza: medics
Trump hush money trial: Why Americans can't see or hear what's going inside court
Alicia Keys, Brian d’Arcy James, Daniel Radcliffe and more react to earning Tony Award nominations
Olivier Awards 2024: Beaming Sarah Snook reunites with Succession co
Brit living in California shares how expensive it really is to live there
China to further boost employment