Gasgoo Munich- On September 18, the 2026 TEDA Automotive Forum held a new track ecosystem session. Zhang Yangjun, a professor at Tsinghua University’s School of Vehicle and Mobility, attended. He discussed the low-altitude economy and the market potential for flying cars. These are also known as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Zhang stated that eVTOLs are the main strategic track for the low-altitude economy. This will help it become a pillar industry. The sector is expected to generate a 10 trillion yuan industrial cluster. It will also transform integrated air-ground transportation.
Image Source: 2026 TEDA Forum
Zhang analyzed the logic of China's economic evolution. He noted that industrial growth has moved past resource extraction. It has also moved past land development. The economy is entering a new phase defined by innovation. Specifically, this involves activating low-altitude space to develop "new quality productive forces." The low-altitude economy is a novel three-dimensional economic form. It results from the integration of the aviation and automotive sectors. It combines vehicle electrification and intelligence with aviation safety standards. China's low-altitude economy has reached the trillion yuan level. This is driven by industrial drones. However, flying cars are still in the technological breakthrough stage. They are also in the pilot operation stage. They have not yet achieved industrial scale.
Regarding industry positioning, Zhang emphasized a key point. The aviation sector can enter the flying car market. However, the automotive industry must develop this track. This is an inevitable trend for the sector's three-dimensional expansion. He defined flying cars as a new type of transportation tool. They combine aviation flight safety with automotive electrification and intelligence. This represents the next evolution of the automobile. Flight will become a core function of cars in the next three decades. The industry expects to achieve scaled operations of flying cars by 2035. Widespread adoption is expected 20 years later. This will transform them into daily transportation tools.
To promote industry implementation, Zhang proposed a "dual-wheel drive" model. It focuses on powertrain breakthroughs and transportation demonstrations. The model aims to foster the synergistic development of the air and ground sectors. Technologically, he outlined a phased roadmap. The roadmap is: "pure electric first, hybrid dominant, hydrogen long-term." This involves building a "three-vertical, three-horizontal" technical architecture. The architecture is for low-altitude power. Turbine-electric power will serve as the technological foundation. It will bridge the gap between automotive and aviation propulsion systems.
