Xpeng Aero HT, the aerospace subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng, has pulled the wraps off its ambitious “Land Aircraft Carrier” at CES 2025. This isn’t just a flying car; it’s a modular system comprised of an electric minivan, referred to as the “mothership,” and a small, foldable eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft that nests within it. Aero HT says it plans to begin mass production of the vehicle this year, with deliveries starting in 2026, following 3,000 signed intent orders.
The company has priced the Land Aircraft Carrier “below $300,000,” targeting thrill-seeking customers and emergency search and rescue operations. Aero HT plans to launch in China initially, with international expansion potentially on the horizon. Unlike some futuristic flying car concepts, the Land Aircraft Carrier opts for a more practical hybrid approach. The setup eliminates the need for a dedicated hangar. Owners would drive the mothership and the eVTOL to a designated site, use a “single command” to deploy the aircraft, and take off. After completing the flight, the eVTOL reconnects with the mothership for storage and transport.
Despite the novelty, Xpeng’s vice chairman and president, Brian Gu, has indicated that the Land Aircraft Carrier has already received its type certification, indicating it meets manufacturing standards. Public crewed flight demonstrations have also been completed. Aero HT must secure a production certificate to begin mass production, and an airworthiness certificate before deliveries can take place. The company’s Guangzhou production facility is under construction and should start production by the end of this year. The facility is slated to have the capacity to produce 10,000 vehicles annually, according to an Aero HT spokesperson.
Concerns inevitably arise about the company’s ability to scale to meet production targets. Xpeng Aero HT secured $150 million in a Series B1 financing round in 2024. Additionally, the company continues raising funds. Aero HT raised $500 million in Series A funding in 2021. For reference, Beta Technologies has raised $1.15 billion, Joby has amassed $2.8 billion, and Archer has secured over $3 billion. TechCrunch has reached out to Xpeng Aero HT for information on future funding needs.
The Land Aircraft Carrier is only the first phase of Aero HT’s plans. Its second phase involves the creation of a high-speed, long-range tiltrotor flying car designed for an “integrated urban air mobility network.” The third phase focuses on developing an eVTOL flying car capable of “seamless, door-to-door, integrated land-air urban transportation systems,” the company said in a statement.
The mothership, or ground module, is a six-wheeled vehicle reminiscent of Canoo’s Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle, with design cues from the Tesla Cybertruck. The mothership’s design, Xpeng says, takes inspiration from a “lunar rover for Earth” – sleek, heavy-duty, designed for the future. It includes a floating roof, dark wheel arches, and folding rearview mirrors. The dual-swing doors open automatically, and it accommodates four passengers in addition to the eVTOL. The vehicle will be offered in four color choices, according to the company.
The Land Aircraft Carrier also functions as a mobile supercharging station for the eVTOL, thanks to what Xpeng claims is the world’s first 800-volt silicon carbide range extension power platform, which results in extended range of over 621 miles. This allows the aircraft to always be ready for a flight.
The eVTOL itself is designed for lightweight construction, featuring a panoramic cockpit made from carbon fiber. The aircraft is powered by an 800-volt silicon carbide high-voltage platform and utilizes a six-rotor design with dual ducts, enabling it to fold its propellers and arms for storage. Aero HT claims the vehicle includes safety features built using fully redundant designs for propulsion, power, communications, flight control, and operations. It also includes automatic rotor failure response. They are currently testing 200 units to demonstrate the vehicle’s reliability. Moreover, Xpeng says its single-stick control simplifies flight operations.
Additionally, the eVTOL can fly in autonomous mode “thanks to intelligent flight assistance which includes one-touch takeoff, automated route planning, real-time airspace monitoring, and landing vision assistance,” the company stated, highlighting the ease of piloting its aircraft.
While Xpeng has made ambitious promises, consumers will measure its success by evaluating its ability to deliver on them. Nevertheless, the Land Aircraft Carrier represents a captivating CES announcement.
