Gasgoo Munich-On February 24, the first workday following the Spring Festival, Hubei hosted a conference to accelerate its role as a strategic pivot in central China. The event featured four "Hubei-made" electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—known to the public as flying cars. Capable of transporting both passengers and cargo, these aircraft mark a shift from concept to reality for low-altitude mobility.
As core equipment for the low-altitude economy, flying cars have been included in government work reports for two consecutive years and incorporated into recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, positioning them as a high-potential new track for future industries.
Guosen Securities notes that China's eVTOL industry benefits from deep supply chain integration, with roughly 75% of components sourced from the new energy vehicle (NEV) chain. Several automakers are crossing over into manufacturing or partnering with general aviation firms, speeding up the industry's commercial rollout.
China is leading globally in eVTOL commercialization, having entered the manned pilot flight phase. Commercial operations for mainstream models are expected to launch in tourism and sightseeing scenarios by the end of 2027.
Image Credit: XPENG
Data from Qichacha indicates that China's flying car sector is in a high-growth phase. As of February 24, there were 547 existing companies related to flying cars in the country, with nearly 70% located in Tier-1 and new Tier-1 cities. Enterprises with registered capital of 50 million yuan or more account for 42.96%, while over 40% were established more than a decade ago. On the patent front, domestic filings total 1,707—over 70% applied for in the past five years—signaling a quickening pace of technological innovation.
Hubei's showcase of multiple flying cars highlights its local manufacturing prowess and reflects the accelerating formation of a complete low-altitude economy chain. As technology matures and policies improve, hailing a "flying taxi" or piloting a flying car will gradually shift from a vision to a daily routine.
