The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued a production certificate to EHang, clearing the way for the company to start large-scale series production of its EH216-S autonomous eVTOL aircraft. The approval, which was announced at an event in Guangzhou on Sunday, was granted just under six months after EHang became the first eVTOL manufacturer in the world to achieve type certification—on October 13.
Notably, the production certificate is based on EHang’s quality management system covering raw materials used to make the aircraft, as well as processes for controlling production in-house and with suppliers. It also includes quality control processes, pre-delivery tests for the EH216-S, and after-sales maintenance, repair, and overhaul work.
During the certification process, a review team from the CAAC’s Central-South Regional Administration inspected and assessed all aspects of EHang’s manufacturing infrastructure and procedures. The evaluation covered 19 topics, including organizational management, design documents control, personnel capabilities and qualifications, supplier management, production process control, and inspection and testing.
EHang said it now plans to steadily increase the rate of production at its main factory in Yunfu. It is also stepping up partnership arrangements with customers to support the launch of operations.
Commercial Flights Set To Increase in Chinese Cities
EHang is now working to support commercial flights with the two-seat aircraft at various locations in China, by providing training to operators and developing procedures. It is working with CAAC officials to establish regulatory standards for commercial operations in the second quarter.
During 2024, the company intends to work with local government agencies to develop networks of vertiports to integrate eVTOL air taxi services into city public transportation systems. Sightseeing flights for tourists will also be an early use case for the EH216-S. In China, the aircraft has a list price of just $334,000.
In 2023, EHang launched flight demonstration programs in its home city of Guangzhou, as well as in Shenzhen and Hefei. After the CAAC issued an airworthiness certificate, it conducted the first commercial flights on a small scale from urban air mobility (UAM) operations centers in Shenzhen’s OH Bay resort, as well as in Guangzhou’s Jiulong Lake Park and Hefei’s Luogang Central Park.
In October, Hefei’s municipal government signed a strategic cooperation agreement with EHang to develop a so-called low-altitude economy in the city. It pledged financial support of up to $100 million. Guangzhou officials have also approved plans to support similar initiatives.
Chinese Government Prioritizes Low-altitude Economy
During a press conference on March 29, the CAAC reported plans to support the establishment of multiple UAM demonstration sites to stimulate early eVTOL use cases and develop air traffic management infrastructure. According to the agency, China’s low-altitude economy could be worth more than RMB 1.5 trillion ($212 billion) by 2025, rising to RMB 3.5 trillion in 2035.
Last year, air services with eVTOLs and other uncrewed air vehicles were confirmed as strategic priorities by both the Chinese government’s Central Committee and State Council. Around 20 Chinese provinces have issued plans for developing low-altitude economies in 2024 and are expected to introduce more specific policy initiatives during the course of the year.
“The issuance of the production certificate is pivotal for the EH216-S as it opens the door to mass production, and a crucial step for our advancement towards commercial operations,” said Huazhi Hu, EHang’s founder, chairman, and CEO. “As of today, the EH216-S has secured the type certificate, production certificate, and airworthiness certificate from the CAAC. All these notable accomplishments relied on the collaboration and tireless efforts of the CAAC’s expert team and EHang’s team, and reflected our collective innovation, wisdom, and expertise in aircraft design, manufacturing, quality management, continued airworthiness, and other fields.”