As China’s government charts its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the country’s advanced air mobility start-ups closed the summer with a series of milestones they say will advance electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft toward commercial operations.
Vertaxi CEO Ling Xie told AIN that 2025 has been a year of technical validation for the company’s M1B cargo eVTOL, with tests clearing the aircraft’s structure, propulsion, and flight control systems. The Shanghai-based start-up also grew its order books, inking a 100-aircraft deal with AVIC Leasing worth over $140.5 million.
“In terms of the airframe, the M1B has successfully passed static load tests on the wings, tail, power arms, as well as static tests under multiple motor conditions, Xie explained. “Regarding the power system, the electric engine system—co-developed with Chinese suppliers—has successfully demonstrated its ability to continuously deliver both rated and peak power, meeting all design targets and providing ample power reserve.
“The flight control system, which was developed in-house, has passed its soft and hardware testing, significantly enhancing the M1B’s safety redundancy levels and providing multiple safety guarantees for complex flight environments.”
Fellow Shanghai start-up Volant Aerotech has also pushed forward with its VE25-100 Skylar program, anchored by a $1.75 billion provisional order from Thailand's Pan-Pacific Co. Ltd. for 500 units. The single-pilot aircraft, which is designed to carry five passengers, is expected to serve short-range transport and emergency rescue missions in multiple Asian countries. China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Aviation Industries of China (AVIC), is providing infrastructure support under the terms of the state-led, mulit-continent Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In August, Volant strengthened its market presence with a purchase agreement with ABC Financial Leasing for 10 eVTOL aircraft, plus a letter of intent for 110 more. On September 1, the program reached another milestone with the successful untethered first flight of AC101, the lead aircraft of the VE25-100 development batch, supported by a newly delivered engineering simulator from BlueSky Civil Aviation Technology. BlueSky’s deputy general manager Wang Peiqing said the simulator will further support “display interface testing, flight control-law development, human-machine verification, system integration, pilot training, and airworthiness certification.
Belt and Road Initiative Generates Growth
Both Vertaxi and Volant view China and BRI markets—including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa—as key for eVTOL deployment. Xie cited Boston Consulting Group, noting that China’s eVTOL market could reach $41 billion by 2040, with annual sales around 160,000 units. In the Middle East, the company’s small- and medium-sized eVTOL drones are already operating, demonstrating efficiency and paving the way for larger eVTOL applications in logistics, emergency services, and crewed transport, he said.
“The region, as a hub for high-end consumption and innovation trials, has a high level of acceptance of new transportation solutions among high-net-worth individuals,” he commented. “Additionally, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have included low-altitude economy in their national strategies and are actively investing in infrastructure.”
In the domestic market, Huang Xiafei, Volant co-founder and president, noted that China’s six low-altitude test cities—Hefei, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Suzhou—boast strong economies, advanced infrastructure, aviation innovation, and capabilities. Regarding opportunities in the BRI regions, he emphasized that Chinese eVTOL firms should focus on ‘differentiated adaptation’ and ‘in-depth regional development’ to shift from ‘demand matching’ to ‘localized implementation.’
“We consider the Southeast Asian market as one of the most practical application scenarios,” Huang said, adding that dense populations, numerous islands, and limited ground transport create strong demand in short-distance commuting, cargo delivery, and emergency rescue. He noted that frequent natural disasters and high acceptance of Chinese technology further support eVTOL adoption.
Middle East and Beyond
“The Middle Eastern market is also a key target,” he stated, thanks to strong economies and relatively open low-altitude policies. “However, the climatic conditions in the Middle East require optimized design of aircraft, so the market penetration here may not be as rapid as in Southeast Asia.”
Like Vertaxi and Volant, XPeng AeroHT considers BRI markets strategically important, having recently secured a special flight permit in the UAE for crewed X3-F tests, the air module of the Land Aircraft Carrier. The Guangzhou-based company has partnered with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority to advance flight test certification and explore scenario applications.
In China, the aircraft has completed high-altitude, high-temperature, and winter testing, and XPeng AeroHT is building flight camps, including a demonstration zone in Hainan. However, the path to 2026 deliveries could be clouded following a September 16 accident involving two X3-F units at Changchun Air Show rehearsals.
EHang has also expanded its BRI reach, having recently added the Rwandan capital Kigali to its partnership network to take its global its presence to 21 countries. In June, the EH216-S conducted a public test flight in Abu Dhabi with UAE partner Multi Level Group, followed by the EH216-L completing Japan’s first cargo flight in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in August.
At home, it is now almost two years since the EH216-S became the first eVTOL model in the world to achieve type certification. The two-seat autonomous aircraft is now frequently used for sightseeing flights and is set be joined by the next-generation VT35 lift-and-cruise passenger eVTOL aircraft, earmarked for intercity, cross-sea, and cross-mountain transport.
AutoFlight and TCab Tech Compete With EHang
This summer, AutoFlight announced it had welcomed aviation authorities from Singapore and the UAE as it advanced real-world operations with its V2000CG CarryAll eVTOL. In June, the 2-ton firefighting variant became the first ton-class eVTOL selected for a national-level disaster response drill in Heilongjiang province. The following month, the V2000CG received its Airworthiness Certificate and was delivered to aviation operator Heli Intelligence to support cargo operations. July also saw two units participate in a live river rescue in Wuhan.
AutoFlight’s momentum carried into August, with the V2000CG completing its first offshore logistics flight at home alongside China National Offshore Oil Corporation and CITIC Offshore Helicopter. The program also conducted wind-resistance testing at Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone in Fujian province over a two-week period, completing more than 20 flights under Level 7 wind conditions.
On September 18, the company announced it had established the first intercity low-altitude uncrewed agricultural freight corridor with a 100-mile cargo flight in Anhui Province, carrying about 441 pounds of goods.
Shanghai-based TCab Tech also had a strong summer, announcing a $1 billion deal with UAE-based Autocraft for 350 five-seat E20 eVTOLs to be deployed across the Middle East and North Africa. In August, the company broke ground on a $140 million, 12-acre intelligent manufacturing base in Wuhu, Anhui, slated to open in 2026, with two E20 assembly lines capable of producing 200 aircraft annually, a key step toward fulfilling the UAE deal. In March, TCab completed its structural validation campaign ahead of its first crewed test flight later this year.
Nanjing’s EVT Aeronautics has also entered the Middle East through a recent joint venture with UAE-based Robo.ai Inc. The new Dubai-based company, RoVTOL, will focus on three main areas—global eVTOL sales, localized assembly in the UAE, and building an international sales network. Its product line includes EVT’s single-seat ET1, two-seat ET2, all-electric long-endurance ET3-e, hydrogen-lithium hybrid ET3-h, and five-seat ET9, along with derivatives such as the ET9C cargo version.
Whether in China or abroad, Vertaxi’s Xie noted, there are currently no global precedents for large-scale applications of crewed, passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft. In his view, many challenges remain—from safety and airworthiness certification to technological breakthroughs and low-altitude infrastructure.
Volant’s Huang echoed that conclusion, highlighting that achieving reliable commercial operations will require advances in battery technology, autonomous flight systems, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance.