EHang VT35 Marks a New Phase in Long-Range Autonomous Air Mobility

EHang Holdings Limited, a global leader in advanced air mobility (AAM), has broadened its product offerings with the official launch of the VT35, a next-generation long-range pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Building upon the earlier VT30 prototype, the VT35 features substantial enhancements in aerodynamics, structure, and systems, designed to extend autonomous aerial operations beyond urban areas to regional and intercity routes.

The aircraft made its public debut at Luogang Park in Hefei, Anhui Province, with government officials, industry partners, and media representatives in attendance. During the event, the official domestic market price for the standard model was announced at RMB 6.5 million. The VT35 has completed a transition flight test, highlighting its technical maturity and readiness for certification.

The VT35 features a tandem-wing lift-plus-cruise configuration, incorporating eight distributed lift propellers for vertical flight alongside a single rear-mounted pusher propeller and fixed wings for horizontal cruising. This hybrid design provides both vertical manoeuvrability and high aerodynamic efficiency, optimised for sustained forward flight.

With a maximum take-off weight of 950 kilograms and a fully loaded range of approximately 200 kilometres, the VT35 enhances both endurance and stability compared to its predecessor. Its compact dimensions, approximately eight meters in length and wingspan, and three meters in height, simplify ground handling and facilitate operations from limited urban locations.

The structural enhancements to the airframe enhance the lift-to-drag ratio and flight efficiency while ensuring durability across various weather and terrain conditions, such as coastal and mountainous regions. Importantly, the VT35 is compatible with EHang’s certified EH216-S vertiports, allowing for seamless deployment from existing facilities, including parks, rooftops, and parking lots. This interoperability aligns with the company’s vision of a unified urban–intercity network without necessitating entirely new ground infrastructure.

Utilising EHang's expertise in autonomous flight control, fleet management, and command-and-control architecture, the VT35 is designed for entirely pilotless operations. The aircraft features redundant avionics, propulsion, and communication systems, as well as obstacle detection and avoidance technologies, to ensure operational safety in autonomous environments.

The platform's fleet management system facilitates coordinated operations of multiple aircraft along pre-defined routes, under the supervision of centralised control centres. EHang's networked command system supports automated mission scheduling, flight tracking, and airspace deconfliction, which are essential components for scalable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

According to EHang COO Wang Zhao, the VT35 represents a critical progression in the company’s roadmap: “VT35 builds upon the EH216-S’s certified foundation and marks the next phase in our long-range portfolio. Together with partners, we will accelerate commercialisation across passenger transport, logistics, and emergency response applications.”

In March 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) formally accepted EHang’s Type Certificate (TC) application for the VT35, initiating the airworthiness certification process. The company is leveraging lessons from the successful certification of the EH216-S, which holds the world’s first type, production, and standard airworthiness certificates for a pilotless passenger eVTOL.

EH216-S

EHang's regulatory collaboration with the CAAC is centred on adapting existing safety frameworks to accommodate larger, longer-range platforms. Internal testing and flight trials are currently in progress, with certification milestones anticipated to coincide with the broader implementation of China's low-altitude economy infrastructure initiative.

Upon certification, the VT35 is anticipated to function as the intercity counterpart to the EH216-S, forming an integrated fleet that addresses both short-range and regional routes. This combined ecosystem aspires to create "one-hour air mobility circles," linking metropolitan clusters such as the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.

During the launch event, EHang formalised strategic agreements with Zhejiang Zhiyi UAV Technology Co., Ltd. and Hainan Fuma General Aviation Industry Development Co., Ltd. These partners will collaborate on the procurement, promotion, and operational deployment of the VT35, expediting the model’s entry into service.

A Hefei Municipal Government platform company has already placed procurement orders for the VT35, underscoring strong regional support. EHang also reaffirmed its August 2025 investment cooperation agreement with Hefei authorities to establish a VT35 production and operations hub, strengthening the city’s position as a focal point for China’s emerging low-altitude economy.

In September, Hefei published the Low-Altitude Economy Development Scenario White Paper, which outlines a framework for research and development, certification, and airspace integration. This document establishes favourable policy conditions for initiatives like the VT35.

EHang plans to develop the VT35 into a modular platform that can accommodate future variants, including tilt-rotor configurations, to improve speed and payload flexibility. These advancements align with the company's overarching objective of catering to diverse operational scenarios, ranging from passenger and cargo transport to inspection and rescue missions.

Founder and CEO Huazhi Hu reaffirmed EHang’s long-term vision, “Since inception, EHang has pursued innovation that defines the future of urban and intercity air mobility. With VT35, we extend our certified ecosystem beyond cities, connecting communities and regions with safe, intelligent, and eco-friendly flight solutions.”

As the global eVTOL industry progresses, EHang's dual-product strategy, focused on the urban EH216-S and the long-range VT35, positions the company as one of the select manufacturers offering a multi-tiered, autonomous Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) system. By integrating aircraft design, certification, operational management, and vertiport infrastructure, EHang is developing a scalable model for low-altitude mobility that has the potential to impact regulatory and industrial standards globally.