Xpeng’s Flying Car Soars Over Beijing

The small two-seater Xpeng X2 has completed a perfect flight over Beijing airport, paving the way for certification.

We recently had the chance to take a seat in a prototype of the Xpeng X2. Unfortunately, we did not take off, as French authorities are still quite hesitant about sending these quirky little electric carbon machines into the air. Autonomous flying taxis were supposed to be an attraction at the Paris Olympics, but the city council preferred to focus on cleaning up the Seine rather than on the development of Taxiports…

The government of Beijing does not raise these kinds of questions and recently unveiled an ambitious project for the period 2024-2027. This plan aims to make Beijing a hub of innovation in the low-altitude economy. It explores new business models for flying cars, including intercity travel and downtown shuttle services. Xpeng has proven that the technology is ready to follow.

Xpeng Takes the Lead

This eVTOL, part car, part airplane, is actually more of a drone than a flying car. It has no flight controls and merely goes from point A to point B according to the prior instructions it received. Its flight autonomy is 25 minutes, which is a significant urban journey. Two-seater, the X2 is primarily built from carbon materials. It measures 5,172 mm long, 5,124 mm wide, and 1,362 mm high, with a weight of 680 kg and a maximum payload of 160 kg. Unlike most consumer drones with four motors, the X2 is an octocopter, offering additional thrust and stability. In case of a motor failure, an integrated parachute ensures the safety of the occupants.

The X2 has already completed nearly 4,000 test flights and has been tested in various scenarios, including urban areas, maritime regions, and deserts. This demonstration in Beijing marks a new milestone in the development of flying car technology, confirming that the future of urban and intercity transport is indeed in the air.

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