EHang VT35 Launch Advances Long Range Autonomous eVTOL Aviation

EHang VT35: Pioneering Long-Range Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

The global advanced air mobility (AAM) sector is rapidly evolving, with increasing momentum toward the integration of autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) into mainstream passenger and logistics transport. Among the industry’s prominent players, EHang Holdings Limited stands out for its commitment to developing and commercializing pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The recent debut of the EHang VT35 marks a significant milestone, as the company expands beyond short-range urban mobility into the more challenging medium- and long-range intercity travel market.

Launched in Hefei, China, a city fast emerging as a national hub for the low-altitude economy, the VT35 is positioned as a next-generation solution for intercity connectivity, logistics, and emergency response. This strategic move aligns with China’s broader ambition to foster a robust low-altitude economy, encompassing not just passenger transport but also cargo delivery and public safety operations. The VT35’s introduction is supported by strong government backing, regulatory progress, and industry Partnerships, signaling a new phase in the commercialization of autonomous air mobility.

In this article, we examine the significance of EHang’s VT35 launch, analyze its technical and operational features, explore the ecosystem and partnerships underpinning its rollout, and consider the broader implications for the eVTOL industry and urban–intercity transportation networks.

Technical Innovations and Operational Capabilities of the VT35

Design and Performance Specifications

The VT35 represents a leap forward in EHang’s product portfolio, building on the company’s experience with the EH216-S, which was primarily designed for short-range, intra-city applications. The VT35 is an upgraded lift-and-cruise model, based on the earlier VT30 prototype, and features a tandem-wing layout with a two-seat configuration. This design enables both vertical take-off and landing, as well as efficient cruise flight over longer distances.

In terms of propulsion, the VT35 employs eight distributed lift propellers for vertical operations, transitioning to a pusher propeller and fixed wings for horizontal cruise. This hybrid approach allows the aircraft to achieve an estimated range of approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) on a full charge. The VT35 is roughly 8 meters in both length and wingspan, with a height of 3 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 950 kg. These specifications make it suitable for a variety of use cases, from passenger transport to logistics and emergency missions.

Autonomy is a core feature of the VT35. The aircraft is designed for fully autonomous flight, managed through a centralized command-and-control system that enables fleet operations along pre-set routes. This capability is intended to reduce operational complexity, enhance safety, and enable scalable deployment in urban and regional environments. Notably, the VT35 is compatible with existing vertiport infrastructure designed for the EH216-S, allowing for flexible operations from rooftops, parking lots, and other urban locations.

“VT35, together with the urban-focused EH216-S, will form a comprehensive intelligent air mobility network connecting short- to mid-long-range scenarios.” — Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang

Certification and Market Readiness

Regulatory approval is a critical factor in the path to commercialization for any new aircraft, particularly in the emerging eVTOL sector. EHang’s prior success in obtaining the world’s first type certificate, production certificate, and standard airworthiness certificate for a pilotless eVTOL (the EH216-S) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) provides a strong foundation for the VT35’s certification journey. In March 2025, the CAAC accepted EHang’s type certificate application for the VT35, and the aircraft is currently undergoing the airworthiness Certification process.

Demonstrating technical viability, EHang has successfully completed the transition flight test for the VT35, a key milestone in validating its design and performance. The standard version of the VT35 for the domestic Chinese market is priced at RMB 6.5 million (approximately USD $910,000–$915,000), establishing a clear commercial proposition in a market often characterized by concepts and prototypes rather than tangible products.

Initial market traction has been achieved with a platform company of the Hefei Municipal Government placing the first procurement Orders for the VT35. This early adoption, combined with ongoing regulatory engagement, positions EHang as a serious contender in the long-range eVTOL space, with a product that is both technically advanced and commercially viable.

Strategic Partnerships and the Low-Altitude Economy Ecosystem

Government Collaboration and Policy Support

The successful development and deployment of eVTOL aircraft depend not only on technological innovation but also on a supportive policy and infrastructure environment. The city of Hefei exemplifies this approach, having positioned itself as a national hub for the low-altitude economy, a sector that encompasses passenger transport, logistics, aerial tourism, and emergency response. Hefei is home to over 100 companies in this sector and is actively investing in new airspace corridors and drone-friendly infrastructure.

In August 2025, EHang and the Hefei Municipal Government signed an agreement to establish the VT35 series product hub in the city. This partnership is further reinforced by Hefei’s release of a “Low-Altitude Economy Development Scenario White Paper” in September 2025, which outlines the city’s commitment to providing policy and infrastructure support for the industry. Government backing includes not only policy initiatives but also tangible procurement, with the initial order for the VT35 serving as a vote of confidence in EHang’s technology and vision.

This collaborative model is seen as a key enabler for the rapid commercialization of pilotless eVTOL aircraft, facilitating regulatory approvals, infrastructure development, and market adoption. The strategic alignment between EHang and Hefei underscores the importance of public–private partnerships in advancing the low-altitude economy.

“The low-altitude economy represents a convergence of intelligent connectivity, new energy, and advanced manufacturing… We will fully support VT35’s airworthiness certification in Hefei and look forward to its early approval and real-world applications in intercity transport, emergency rescue, and logistics.” — Mr. Yin Xingke, Deputy General Manager of JAC Group

Industry Partnerships and Ecosystem Integration

Beyond government collaboration, EHang is actively building an integrated ecosystem around the VT35. At the launch event, the company announced cooperation agreements with Zhejiang Zhiyi UAV Technology Co., Ltd. of Wencheng County and Hainan Fuma General Aviation Industry Development Co., Ltd. Both partnerships focus on the procurement, promotion, and operation of the VT35, signaling intent to create a networked fleet of pilotless aircraft for diverse applications.

EHang’s approach goes beyond simply selling aircraft. The company is developing a comprehensive ecosystem that includes command-and-control systems for autonomous operations, vertiport infrastructure, and operational partnerships for deployment and maintenance. This integrated model is designed to support scalable operations, enable data-driven fleet management, and facilitate seamless urban–intercity connectivity.

Such ecosystem-building is critical for addressing the operational, regulatory, and logistical challenges inherent in deploying pilotless eVTOLs at scale. By working closely with local governments, industry partners, and infrastructure providers, EHang aims to accelerate the adoption of autonomous air mobility solutions across multiple sectors.

“VT35’s launch marks the evolution of EHang’s long-range product line and a major milestone towards our advanced air mobility vision. Together with our partners, we will accelerate the commercialization of pilotless eVTOL aircrafts across diverse application scenarios, fostering a new, integrated urban–intercity low-altitude transportation ecosystem.” — Wang Zhao, Chief Operating Officer of EHang

Conclusion: Implications and Future Prospects

The Launch of the EHang VT35 represents a pivotal development in the evolution of autonomous air mobility. By extending its reach from urban to intercity and regional transportation, EHang is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of eVTOL innovation. The VT35’s combination of technical sophistication, regulatory progress, and ecosystem integration sets a benchmark for the industry, offering a tangible pathway from prototype to commercial reality.

Looking ahead, the continued collaboration between technology providers, government agencies, and industry partners will be essential in overcoming remaining challenges, ranging from regulatory harmonization to public acceptance and infrastructure development. As cities like Hefei and Shenzhen advance their low-altitude economy strategies, the potential for pilotless eVTOL aircraft to transform mobility, logistics, and emergency response becomes increasingly tangible. The VT35’s debut is more than a product launch; it is a signal of the accelerating transition toward intelligent, autonomous, and sustainable air transportation networks.

FAQ

Question: What is the range of the EHang VT35?

Answer: The VT35 has an estimated range of approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) on a full charge.

Question: Is the VT35 fully autonomous?

Answer: Yes, the VT35 is designed for fully autonomous flight, managed through a command-and-control system for fleet operations along pre-set routes.

Question: What is the price of the VT35?

Answer: The standard version of the VT35 for the domestic Chinese market is priced at RMB 6.5 million (approximately USD $910,000–$915,000).

Question: What are the main use cases for the VT35?

Answer: The VT35 is intended for intercity passenger transport, logistics, and emergency response, among other applications.

Question: What is the regulatory status of the VT35?

Answer: The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) accepted EHang’s type certificate application for the VT35 in March 2025, and the aircraft is currently undergoing the airworthiness certification process.

Sources

• EHang Official News