China's Space Industry Unit Unveils a Roadable eVTOL in Chongqing Maiden Flight

An electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight in southwest China. The flight took place in Chongqing Municipality on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Yongchuan Da'an Airport.

The aircraft was developed by the ninth academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), a major state-owned aerospace entity. This milestone highlights the growing role of China’s space industry in commercial aviation. CASC is leveraging its expertise in complex, aerospace-grade assembly for this new market.

Innovative Split-Type Design

The CASC Ninth Academy eVTOL features a novel configuration. It combines air vehicle and automobile designs for dual-mode travel. The system uses a split-type core design with two main components. These are an airborne module and a road-going module.

The airborne module consists of wings, a cabin, and a chassis. It can carry two passengers. The aircraft is capable of speeds up to 150 km per hour. Its operational altitude is below 3,000 meters.

For ground travel, the roadable eVTOL aircraft uses a fully electric intelligent chassis. This road-going module offers a range exceeding 300 km. An automatic coupling system allows the modules to connect and detach independently.

Applications and Market Context

The new eVTOL is designed as multipurpose low-altitude equipment. Developers see applications in transportation, logistics, and emergency support.

This development aligns with China's push for the low-altitude economy. The sector is a national priority, supported by the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. Industry forecasts suggest the Chinese eVTOL market could reach 9.5 billion yuan ($1.37 billion) in 2026.

Key challenges remain in regulatory approval and infrastructure build-out. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is working on new airworthiness standards. Multiple Chinese manufacturers are racing toward certification and mass production this year. The successful flight by a state-backed entity signals a strong, coordinated industrial policy. This accelerates the commercialization of urban air mobility China solutions. This momentum could position China for an earlier market entry than Western competitors.

• The eVTOL is a two-passenger, split-type vehicle with separate flying and driving modules.
• The airborne module reaches 150 km/h; the road module has a 300+ km electric range.
• The project is driven by the CASC Ninth Academy, a major state-owned aerospace manufacturer.
• This launch supports China's strategic low-altitude economy initiative, a market expected to grow significantly in 2026.

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