EHang, Weihai to co-develop pilotless eVTOL industrial ecosystem

On Dec. 27, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) company EHang Holdings Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) signed a project cooperation agreement with the management committee of Weihai City’s Torch High-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Shandong Province. This agreement will establish comprehensive industry collaboration on pilotless eVTOLs, part of China’s new phase of rapidly growing its low-altitude economy.

Based on the cooperation, EHang and Weihai High-Tech Zone Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment Co. Ltd. have signed a purchase agreement for the first batch of 30 units of EH216-S pilotless passenger eVTOLs, and have completed full payment for the order.

In addition, both parties will work together to establish a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL R&D and manufacturing base in Shandong, which will serve as EHang’s production hub in the province. EHang and Weihai High-Tech Zone will also jointly develop a low-altitude economy industrial park in the region, with the goal of promoting the integration of the local low-altitude economy with cultural tourism, and other regional industries.

In terms of commercial operations, both parties will work together to create low-altitude tourism services that integrate scenic sightseeing and technological experiences, by planning and launching comprehensive low-altitude cultural tourism flight routes in Weihai High-Tech Zone. These services will take advantage of key tourist sites, including Weihai International Beach, Xiaoshi Island, and Torch Eight Streets. This initiative will advance the integration of the low-altitude economy with scenic spots, high-end hotels, commercial districts, leisure parks and camping businesses. 

EHang says it will assist the local operator Weihai High-Tech Zone Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment Co. Ltd. with personnel training, infrastructure and routes planning, trial flights and preparations for applying for the Air Operator Certificate, accelerating the EH216-S commercial operations in Weihai High-Tech Zone. Weihai High-Tech Zone will actively coordinate government resources to facilitate favorable policies, application scenarios, manufacturing base and infrastructure facilities.

“EHang’s EH216 series products are in high demand across a range of industries, including tourism, emergency response, logistics and firefighting,” Zhao Wang, COO of EHang, says. “With the diverse application scenarios in Weihai, we are well-positioned to accelerate commercial operations and market adoption, and jointly advance safe, intelligent and eco-friendly air mobility solutions.”