New Delhi: Race to dominate the burgeoning flying taxi market is intensifying, with China determined not to be left behind. While the flying car industry is gaining traction worldwide, China is making significant strides. Kelen Xie, vice president of the Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) company AutoFlight Group, recently highlighted the efforts of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to expedite regulations – a crucial step in bringing this futuristic technology to everyday life.Global race for takeoffThis global competition for flying taxi supremacy is attracting billions of dollars in investments from entrepreneurs across the US, Europe, and most notably, China. The US has made significant progress, granting approvals to several eVTOLs. Conversely, AutoFlight in Europe awaits regulatory greenlight.Long-distance flying potentialChina is prioritizing the approval of eVTOL vehicles, which offer the unique advantage of both vertical takeoff and landing like helicopters and high-speed flight capabilities. This combination could revolutionize transportation, enabling efficient long-distance travel.eVTOL market poised for takeoffAnalysts at Morgan Stanley predict a staggering growth for the eVTOL market, reaching a potential value of $1.5 trillion annually by 2040. This technology has diverse applications, impacting industries like airlines, logistics, emergency services, agriculture, tourism, and security operations.The first ever air taxi flight took place in China.AutoFlight showed a flight on the Prosperity flying taxi between the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The vehicle covered a distance of 50 km in 20 minutes, which is 9 times faster than a car. pic.twitter.com/G6cIPOdlbL— True Awareness (@Truewareness) March 8, 2024China makes a breakthroughIn a significant step towards realizing its flying car ambitions, Chinas CAAC granted certification to AutoFlights unmanned CaryAll craft in March. According to the Financial Times, this marks the first instance where regulators approved an eVTOL exceeding a metric ton for flight.Flying Cars: A 2025 realityThe US is also making headway, with the Federal Aviation Administration granting approval to Aleph Aeronautics Model A flying car in July – a historic first for the country. This paves the way for these flying cars to hit the streets (and skies) as early as the end of 2025.The global race for flying taxis is rapidly accelerating, with China actively vying for a leading position. While the US boasts early approvals, Chinas focus on long-distance capabilities and its recent regulatory breakthrough with the CaryAll certification suggest a determined competitor. As regulations evolve and technology advances, the vision of flying cars transitioning from science fiction to everyday reality might be closer than ever.
