China Launches World's First Autonomous Flying Taxi
Beijing, April 6, 2025 – China has once again leapfrogged global competitors in the race for futuristic transportation, officially launching the world’s first commercial autonomous flying taxi service. The milestone, achieved by Guangzhou-based EHang Holdings in partnership with Hefei Hey Airlines, marks a historic step in urban mobility, with the EH216-S—a pilotless, two-seater electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle—now cleared for passenger operations.
The service debuted this week in Hefei, Anhui Province, following regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2025. Initial flights are offering urban sightseeing tours, whisking passengers over the city at speeds up to 100 km/h (62 mph) and altitudes of around 300 meters. A demonstration flight showcased the EH216-S cutting a typical one-hour car journey across Hefei to just seven minutes, highlighting its potential to revolutionize short-range travel.
EHang’s autonomous taxi, powered by 16 electric rotors, operates without a human pilot, relying instead on advanced AI navigation, real-time traffic monitoring, and a network of ground-based control stations. The vehicle’s compact design—5.7 meters long with a 5.3-meter rotor span—allows it to land on small pads, making it ideal for dense urban environments. Certified as airworthy in late 2023, the EH216-S underwent rigorous testing, including over 40,000 trial flights, before earning its commercial wings.
“This is a proud moment for China’s tech and aviation sectors,” said Hu Huazhi, EHang’s founder and CEO, at the launch event. “We’re not just flying taxis; we’re building the future of smart, sustainable cities.” The service’s initial fares are set at approximately 200 yuan ($28 USD) per ride, with plans to expand routes and reduce costs as production scales.
China’s lead in this space contrasts with slower progress in the West, where companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are still navigating regulatory hurdles and aiming for commercial rollouts no earlier than 2026. Analysts attribute China’s edge to its streamlined approval processes and heavy state investment in new energy vehicles, a sector where it already dominates globally.
The launch has sparked excitement and debate. Supporters hail it as a game-changer for reducing road congestion and emissions, while skeptics question safety and infrastructure readiness. EHang plans to deploy 50 EH216-S units in Hefei by year-end, with expansion eyed for Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and beyond. As the world watches, China’s flying taxis signal a bold new era in transportation—one that’s already airborne.
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