Chinese eVTOL aircraft maker EHang this week rolled out a public-private partnership aimed at boosting the adoption of advanced air mobility (AAM) in Guangzhou. The agreement, announced on February 6, could include an as-yet-unspecified role for Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC) in the production of the two-seat autonomous EH216-S model. In return, EHang may become involved in GAC's plans to develop a flying car called GOVE.
The partnership in the city where EHang is headquartered also involves the Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone and the Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee. The latter two partners are to focus on tasks including airspace management, infrastructure development, and developing “low-altitude flight service stations.” Guangzhou officials want to establish the heavily populated metropolitan area as an early adopter of eVTOL air services and to boost the role of local companies in the emerging AAM industry. Last year, the neighboring city of Shenzhen rolled out similar initiatives with EHang, as well as with rival manufacturers AutoFlight and Lilium.
Elected Officials Back eVTOL Growth in Chinese Provinces
Following the recent Local People’s Congress and Political Consultative Conference, officials have determined that efforts to boost the AAM sector should focus on the provinces of Guangdong, Beijing, Anhui, and Shanxi. Overall, the governments of 16 Chinese provinces now have plans for the so-called low-altitude economy.
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