EHang EH216-S pilotless passenger eVTOL

The EH216-S is a two-seat, pilotless (autonomous, remotely supervised) multicopter with 16 propellers on eight arms and a carbon-fibre composite primary structure. EHang gives a 650 kg maximum take-off weight, 130 km/h maximum speed and 25 minutes' endurance; a Wikipedia mirror gives about 35 km range and 220–260 kg payload. The China guide price was RMB 2.39 million (about US$330,000) from April 2024.

Origins: EHang was founded in 2014 in Guangzhou. It showed the single-seat EHang 184 at CES in January 2016, and listed on Nasdaq on 12 December 2019. An earlier plan with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to fly passengers in 2017 did not go ahead.

Key dates: the CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) issued the world's first type certificate for a pilotless passenger eVTOL on 13 October 2023. The first standard airworthiness certificate followed in December 2023, for an aircraft built at the Yunfu production base and delivered to ETON in Guangzhou's Huangpu district. A production certificate followed on 7 April 2024. On 30 March 2025 two operators received the first air operator certificates (AOCs): Guangdong EHang General Aviation (wholly owned) and Hefei HeYi Aviation (a joint venture). These allow ticketed sightseeing and tourism flights in Guangzhou and Hefei. Wikipedia says these are limited to take-off and landing at the same vertiport.

Setbacks: in June 2025 EHang changed battery supplier from Shenzhen Grepow to Gotion High-Tech, because the earlier packs did not give enough range. A February 2022 CAAC document had capped flights at 25 minutes. Public ticketed flights, planned for March 2026 (fare RMB 299), had still not started by June 2026, pending further CAAC requirements, including crew training approval. Deliveries fell to four aircraft in Q1 2026, then rose to 36 in Q2 2026 (35 EH216 series and one VT35). In 2025 EHang delivered 221 units, 215 of them EH216 series.

Status (Nov 2026): by August 2026 the EH216 series had flown nearly 100,000 missions in 23 countries. More than 40 operation sites have been set up in China. On 30 October 2026 EHang opened an overseas regional hub in Thailand, with an initial fleet of 25 EH216-S for flight validation and preparing operations. Under its "Global Fast Track" programme, validation flights were due in November 2026 in Sri Lanka (Port City Colombo), Vietnam (Hanoi) and Malaysia (Putrajaya). Thailand demonstrations are planned for the ICAO Advanced Air Mobility Symposium in Bangkok in December 2026. EHang aims to win a Thai commercial operating approval in 2026.

Next: start of public ticketed flights in China; Thai approval through the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT); certification of the longer-range VT35, which EHang targets within two years of March 2026.

Milestone path

1. 2014

   EHang founded in Guangzhou

   Achieved

   EHang was founded in Guangzhou to develop pilotless passenger aircraft.

   Why it matters: Later became the first maker to hold type, production and operator certificates for a pilotless passenger eVTOL in China.

2. 12 December 2019

   Nasdaq listing

   Achieved

   EHang listed on Nasdaq.

   Why it matters: Gave investors a public way to back pilotless air mobility.

3. 13 October 2023

   World-first type certificate

   Achieved

   The CAAC issued the world's first type certificate for a pilotless passenger eVTOL, the EH216-S.

   Why it matters: Set a regulatory precedent other authorities now study.

4. December 2023

   First standard airworthiness certificate

   Latest

   An EH216-S built at the Yunfu production base received the first standard airworthiness certificate and was delivered to ETON in Guangzhou.

   Why it matters: First individual aircraft cleared for operation.

Milestone path

1. 7 April 2024

   Production certificate issued

   Achieved

   The CAAC issued a production certificate; the China guide price was set at RMB 2.39 million (about US$330,000).

   Why it matters: Allows series production, opening demand for parts and materials suppliers.

2. 16 September 2024

   Brazil experimental flight approval

   Achieved

   Brazil's ANAC granted an experimental flight authorisation for the EH216-S.

   Why it matters: First step into Latin America.

3. 30 March 2025

   First air operator certificates

   Achieved

   Guangdong EHang General Aviation and Hefei HeYi Aviation received the first air operator certificates for sightseeing and tourism flights.

   Why it matters: Allows operations to begin; limited to take-off and landing at the same site.

4. 18 June 2025

   Battery supplier changed to Gotion

   Latest

   EHang expanded its agreement with Gotion High-Tech for a custom battery, replacing Shenzhen Grepow packs that did not give enough range.

   Why it matters: Range is the main limit on uses; watch for longer flights.

Milestone path

1. 24 November 2025

   Urban passenger flight in Bangkok

   Achieved

   Under a sandbox with Thailand's civil aviation authority, its director-general rode an EH216-S on an urban flight at a Bangkok business district site.

   Why it matters: A regulator flying as a passenger is a strong signal for South-East Asian approval.

2. June–August 2026 (Q1 and Q2 reports)

   Public ticketed flights still pending

   Achieved

   Public ticketed flights planned for March 2026 had not started; operators were still running trial operations pending CAAC requirements such as crew training approval. Deliveries rose to 36 in Q2 2026.

   Why it matters: Shows certification alone does not open public service; watch for the first ticketed flights.

3. 30 October 2026

   Thailand regional hub opened

   Latest

   EHang opened an overseas regional hub in Thailand with 25 EH216-S for flight validation and operations preparation.

   Why it matters: A base for South-East Asia and other emerging markets; local partners include Bangkok Land.

4. November 2026

   Validation flights in three countries

   Planned

   Under its "Global Fast Track" programme, validation flights are due in Sri Lanka (Port City Colombo), Vietnam (Hanoi) and Malaysia (Putrajaya).

   What to watch: which regulators move from sandbox to approval.

Milestone path

1. December 2026

   Demonstrations at ICAO symposium

   Planned

   Thailand demonstrations are planned for the ICAO Advanced Air Mobility Symposium in Bangkok.

   What to watch: reaction of regulators from many countries in one place.

2. 2026 (EHang target)

   Thai commercial operating approval

   Planned

   EHang aims to win a commercial operating approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand in 2026.

   What to watch: the first commercial approval outside China.