The Future is Now: A Flying Car in a Van?
Forget conceptual renderings – a real, tangible flying car is on the horizon. Xpeng AeroHT, an “flying car” subsidiary of leading EV maker Xpeng, is developing the “Land Aircraft Carrier,” a vehicle that combines a six-wheeled electric van with a built-in compartment for a vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The Land Aircraft Carrier includes a ground module and an air module.
Order books for this innovative two-in-one vehicle are slated to open by the end of the year, promising a unique blend of ground and air travel. AeroHT unveiled the vehicle, including a flight demonstration of the eVTOL aircraft, eight months after the initial announcement. The company has announced a public showing of a manned flight will take place at an airshow in November.
The Ground Module: A Cyber-Mech Marvel
The ground module, dubbed the “mothership,” boasts what AeroHT calls a “minimalist, cyber-mech design.” Think a Tesla Cybertruck meets a Volkswagen ID.Buzz – a futuristic, utilitarian aesthetic. This cyber-van can comfortably seat up to five occupants and is built with a robust six-wheel, three-axle configuration, complete with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. The vehicle will also feature the world’s first 800V silicon carbide extended-range powertrain, offering a substantial range exceeding 1000 kilometers (621 miles). The ground module can also function as a mobile power station, providing added versatility.
The ‘mothership’ can seat up to five people.
The Air Module: Ease of Flight
The air module, the eVTOL aircraft, also features an 800V silicon carbide high-voltage platform. Its design incorporates a six-axis, six-propeller dual-ducted fan setup. The arms and propellers fold out easily for flight and fold back in for storage. Offering both manual and autonomous operation, the aircraft has a two-person cockpit offering a 270-degree panoramic view.
The eVTOL features a two-person cockpit offers a 270-degree panoramic field of view.
AeroHT emphasizes the simplicity of flying the eVTOL, having developed a single-level control system designed to minimize complexity. The company claims that first-time pilots can learn to operate the aircraft in just five minutes, becoming proficient within three hours.
The air module, or eVTOL, also uses an 800V silicon carbide platform. The eVTOL features a six-axis, six-propellor dual-ducted fan design whose arms and propellors easily fold out and in for flight use or storage.
Pricing and Timeline
Because the air module can be charged via the mothership, it could perform up to six low-altitude flights on a full battery charge. AeroHT has not specified the exact altitude or range of a fully charged, fueled flight.
According to Electrek, the complete Land Aircraft Carrier package will cost approximately 2 million Chinese yuan, or around $282,000 at the current exchange rate. Pre-sales are scheduled to commence in Q4 2024, with prototype production slated for mid-2025 at a new factory currently under construction. If everything progresses as planned, mass production and customer deliveries are expected by 2026.
