What once seemed like science fiction is fast becoming reality. Flying cars — long imagined as symbols of futuristic living — are entering the commercial fast lane, with China leading the charge. XPeng Motors, a pioneer in new energy vehicles, has announced that its subsidiary, XPeng AeroHT , will begin mass production of its first hybrid flying car in 2026 , taking the low-altitude economy to new heights.
Dubbed the “Land Aircraft Carrier,” this revolutionary vehicle combines a road-ready ground car with a detachable electric flying module featuring six propellers and a range of up to 30 kilometers. The flying unit, foldable and storable in the trunk within five minutes, is the world’s first storable modular flying solution . The innovation is backed by a soon-to-be-completed manufacturing facility in Guangzhou , with a production capacity of 10,000 units per year.
Priced under 2 million yuan , the vehicle has already amassed nearly 5,000 orders , despite full-scale production still two years away. XPeng AeroHT expects deliveries to begin next year, sparking massive anticipation in a sector projected to grow into a trillion-dollar global market .
Chairman He Xiaopeng predicts that flying cars could make up 20% of annual automotive revenue within two decades — potentially contributing $2 trillion per year worldwide. XPeng alone has funneled over 10 billion yuan into this sector, with 3 billion yuan earmarked for R&D this year .
While building flying cars is notoriously expensive — typically costing startups between $700 million to $1 billion to achieve certification and commercial readiness — XPeng is confident in its dual-market strategy. The company is simultaneously developing a long-range one-piece flying car capable of traveling up to 500 kilometers — a flight that would reduce travel time between cities like Guangzhou and Changsha from six hours to just one.
China’s rapid rise in the low-altitude economy is no coincidence. Backed by national policy and domestic breakthroughs in AI, battery tech, and materials science, the country is racing ahead. Huawei’s advanced AI-powered air-traffic management system , carbon-fiber suppliers like Zhongfu Shenying, and battery giants like CATL and EVE are critical contributors to this emerging ecosystem.
Moreover, the Civil Aviation Administration of China projects the low-altitude economy to hit 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035 , attracting players like GAC Group , which launched its flying car brand GOVY in 2024, and Changan , which partnered with aviation firm EHang in a 20 billion yuan joint venture .
The flying car industry is currently divided into two camps:
- Automotive-based innovators like XPeng, who adapt existing auto design into air mobility.
- Aviation-focused firms like EHang and Joby Aviation, who build pure aerial vehicles for urban use.
XPeng’s modular approach has practical advantages. Its flying unit can autonomously dock and charge, while the ground vehicle remains road-compliant — a two-in-one transportation breakthrough. However, this also means navigating both aviation and automotive certification pathways, adding complexity.
A key concern is affordability. While XPeng’s price point is lower than helicopters, it’s still out of reach for most consumers. Experts argue that the market must reach 100,000 units/year — similar to Tesla’s threshold — to achieve mass-market pricing. In the meantime, companies are exploring subscription models, leasing, and per-trip pricing to broaden access.
One major obstacle is regulation . There is no unified global framework for flying cars. The US FAA classifies them as “special category aircraft,” while Europe mandates compliance with both aviation and automotive rules — significantly increasing costs.
To address the looming air traffic control challenge, Chinese researchers are developing “invisible roads” in the sky — geospatial grids with binary coding to prevent mid-air collisions. “Air traffic lights” and swarm intelligence systems inspired by bird flight patterns are being tested to ensure safe and orderly skies.
Another hurdle is noise pollution . A 2022 Deloitte survey revealed that 58% of respondents worry about noise from flying cars. In response, Peking University engineers have created a rotor noise prediction model to guide quieter rotor designs, working closely with firms like Huawei and Ecovacs to bring these innovations to market.
Public trust also remains a challenge — with 61% of people fearing flying car accidents , according to Deloitte. To change perceptions, XPeng and others are launching “low-altitude tourism” initiatives. In Hainan province, XPeng has partnered with local authorities to develop a 1,000-km aerial scenic route complete with observation decks, charging stations, and flying car campsites — aiming to turn flying into an immersive leisure experience.
Looking ahead, Tsinghua University professor Zhang Yangjun forecasts three key phases of the sector’s evolution:
1.2024-2030: Commercial rollout of cargo drones and demo use of passenger eVTOLs.
- 2030-2040: Widespread use of both cargo and passenger flying cars.
- 2040-2050: Mass-market maturity and urban integration.
As the flying car revolution takes shape, XPeng AeroHT is not just building a new mode of transportation — it’s laying the foundation for an entirely new way of living, moving, and exploring our world.
