Chinese GAC introduced the AirJet electric aircraft, capable of traveling up to 200 km by air

Last summer, the Chinese company GAC demonstrated a prototype of a vehicle combining an autonomous electric wheeled platform with an automatically controlled flying module. This week, GAC not only presented a “purebred” electric aircraft, but also a new brand, Govy, under which it plans to sell similar equipment.

Image source: GAC

As CnEVPost notes, last year’s prototype is also moving into the Govy product range, where it will be given the name AirCar, since with some reservations such a solution can be called a “flying car.” As noted, the flight range of the corresponding capsule is limited to 20 km, so those who want to achieve greater autonomy will have to pay attention to the second vehicle of the brand – AirJet. In its layout, it resembles a light-engine aircraft with three rows of seats in a lightweight body made of 90% carbon fiber. This choice of structural material makes it possible to reduce the weight of the device by three times compared to a car body of the same volume.

A separate group of rotors and propellers is responsible for vertical takeoff and landing, and on the horizontal part of the flight, special traction screws help push the device forward. This division of functions makes it possible to achieve decent efficiency in the consumption of traction batteries. The device is capable of traveling up to 200 km in the air, while accelerating to 250 km/h if necessary. The transition to the use of solid-state batteries in the future will increase the flight range to 400 km. It will take no more than 30 minutes to recharge the traction batteries.

GAC plans to certify its aircraft by 2025 and begin building a manufacturing facility and begin taking delivery orders. It is noteworthy that in addition to XPeng, the Chinese auto giant Changan is also interested in creating electric-powered aircraft, so competition in the sector promises to be high.