China launches VT35 pilotless drone taxi for intercity travel

EHang Holdings has launched the VT35, a pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi designed for intercity travel across China’s major economic hubs. The two-seat VT35 features a 125-mile range on a single charge and can cruise at 134 mph, enabling significantly faster travel between cities compared to traditional road transport. With a compact design suitable for rooftop and vertiport landings, the VT35 supports a maximum takeoff weight of 950 kg and incorporates autonomous flight systems with redundant safety measures, voice and touch controls, and an eco-friendly electric propulsion system. The VT35 is currently undergoing certification and airworthiness testing by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, building on EHang’s prior experience with its commercial EH216-S air taxi. The company aims to establish one-hour aerial mobility networks connecting key regions such as the Yangtze River Delta and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, potentially reducing typical two-hour drives to under 30 minutes by air