China's 2-ton eVTOL completes intercity low-altitude cargo test flight

China's independently developed 2-metric-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft completed a cross-city low-altitude cargo test flight in the mountainous plateau region of Guizhou province on Nov 20, marking a new breakthrough in its application for plateau logistics.

The eVTOL, carrying emergency medicines and local agricultural products, took off from Xiuwen county in Guiyang city and landed smoothly 40 minutes later at Jiuzhou General Airport in Huangping county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, 118 kilometers away.

The aircraft is electrically powered, capable of vertical takeoff and landing without a runway, operates with low noise, and is more environmentally friendly. It is expected to be used in short-distance urban transport, logistics, and emergency rescue in the future.

The flight demonstrated the feasibility of low-altitude logistics in mountainous areas. Compared with traditional transport, the eVTOL enables point-to-point delivery with zero carbon emissions.

According to Kong Xubing, deputy general manager of Guiyang Low-Altitude Industry Development Co, the aircraft's pure electric drive, runway-free operation and environmental benefits can cut transport time for agricultural and emergency supplies by more than 80 percent in mountainous regions.

Following the successful test flight, the Guiyang–Huangping route is planned to achieve regular logistics operations within the year, helping build a new three-dimensional transportation model for mountainous areas.