Greater Bay Technology, EHang team up to develop UFC/XFC batteries for eVTOL ​

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 27, EHang Holdings Limited ("EHang"), the urban air mobility (UAM) technology platform company, and ultra-fast charging-focused company Guangzhou Greater Bay Technology Co., Ltd. ("GBT") jointly announced that they have established a strategic partnership at the 16^th Chongqing International Battery Technology Exchange Conference (CIBF 2024).

The collaboration focuses on the R&D of the world's first Ultra-Fast Charging (UFC)/eXtreme Fast Charging (XFC) battery solutions for EHang's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The two parties are set to promote the R&D as well as industrialization of eVTOL power system components and modules in the UAM sector, laying an ecological foundation for commercial operations of the low-altitude economy.

Photo credit: EHang

As an UAM technology platform company, EHang's flagship product EH216-S has obtained the type certificate (TC), production certificate (PC) and standard airworthiness certificate (AC) for passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

GBT is a high-tech private enterprise with mixed-ownership, internally incubated by GAC Group. It focuses on R&D, production, and services of XFC battery, a new generation of breakthrough energy storage and its system. It currently establishes three major product series including the ultra-fast, the super-fast, and the standard-fast. 

According to the strategic cooperation agreement signed by the two parties, EHang and GBT will jointly develop eVTOL power cells, batteries, packs, charging piles and energy storage systems that meet the airworthiness standards of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (the "CAAC") as well as the 4H standards (i.e. high energy density, high cycle life, high instantaneous charge-discharge rate, and high safety), thus achieving the adaption and adoption of ultra-fast charging power batteries in EHang's eVTOL aircraft.

Additionally, both parties will progressively construct fast-charging piles, stations, and other infrastructure elements. This initiative is aimed at laying the groundwork for future commercial operations.

The UFC/XFC battery to be developed for eVTOL aircraft will offer a range of advantages. These include the rapid charging speed, which is expected to take only five to ten minutes to charge the battery from 30% to 80% of its capacity. Additionally, the battery system boasts a high energy density of over 200Wh/kg and a long service life of over 2,000 cycles. These advancements will significantly improve EHang's eVTOL products in terms of safety, endurance, and operational efficiency.