Chinese aircraft manufacturer EHang is making significant progress in its efforts to certify and produce the VT35, a two-passenger autonomous eVTOL intended for regional and intercity travel. The company expects the certification process to be faster than its previous EH216-S multicopter, leveraging existing standards established by Chinese regulators and shared component designs.
According to COO Zhao Wang, the VT35 has entered envelope expansion testing, with the company preparing for type certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Wang highlighted that the approval process could take less time than the three years required for the EH216-S, as many standards and components are already in place.
In parallel, EHang is expanding its manufacturing capacity at its Yunfu facility in Guangdong Province. The company has doubled its production space and introduced an automated assembly line, aiming to increase annual output from 200 to potentially 1,000 aircraft after completion of the expansion. Additional facilities are planned for Hefei and Weihai, supported by local government initiatives.
Beyond civil and commercial aircraft, EHang is also working on a firefighting variant of the EH216, removing the onboard cabin to increase payload capacity for fire retardants. This model will be remotely operated through advanced camera and virtual interface systems, enabling high-volume firefighting capabilities across multiple aircraft types.
Wang emphasized that EHang’s diversification includes drone-based logistics and light shows, with ongoing demonstration flights in international markets including East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The focus remains on entering countries with more straightforward regulatory pathways like Thailand and Brazil. He noted that achieving certification in North America and Europe would require aircraft modifications to meet FAA and EASA standards.
