Can Hybrid Power Solve Range Anxiety in Low-Altitude Flight? (AI Translation)
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文｜财新周刊 方祖望
By Fang Zuwang, Caixin Weekly
电动垂直起降飞行器（Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing，eVTOL）是低空经济的核心硬件，也是眼下政策和资本的宠儿。
The Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft stands at the forefront of the low-altitude economy, representing its core hardware. It has also become a favorite among current policy makers and capital investors.
部分人士认为，欧美企业在通用航空领域领先全球，而中国企业在eVTOL领域先行一步，eVTOL有望扮演与新能源汽车类似的角色，帮助国内通航产业实现“变道超车”。
Some believe that while European and American companies lead the global general aviation sector, Chinese companies have taken an early lead in the eVTOL field. eVTOLs are expected to play a role similar to that of new energy vehicles, potentially helping the domestic general aviation industry to achieve a "lane-change overtaking."
eVTOL并不能“躺赢”，它需要先飞起来，再逐步开展商业化运营，最终实现“多拉快跑”，才能持续证明自己的价值。但现在，eVTOL面临与新能源汽车发展初期类似的瓶颈。
eVTOL cannot simply "win effortlessly." It first needs to get off the ground before gradually launching commercial operations to eventually achieve high-speed and high-efficiency service. Only then can it continually prove its worth. However, at present, eVTOL faces bottlenecks similar to those encountered during the early stages of the development of new energy vehicles.
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- The eVTOL market is advancing with Chinese companies showing early leadership; however, range limitations tied to battery technology remain a significant hurdle, with current ranges around 200 km for fully electric and up to 1,000 km for hybrids using emerging technology.
- Hybrid eVTOLs, offering longer ranges and faster energy replenishment, are gaining attention but face complexities in production and regulatory approval; they could align with the growth trajectory of hybrid new energy vehicles.
- Battery technologies like solid-state may extend eVTOL range to 400 km, while solutions like battery swapping and ultra-fast charging are under exploration to tackle range and operational efficiency challenges.
The Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is a significant focus within the low-altitude economy, favored by policymakers and investors [para. 1]. While European and American companies dominate general aviation, Chinese firms have made strides in the eVTOL sector, possibly mirroring the impact of new energy vehicles. However, eVTOLs have obstacles to overcome before achieving commercial viability [para. 2][para. 3]. The range of all-electric eVTOLs, limited by battery technology, is currently about 200 kilometers, posing significant application constraints [para. 4][para. 5].
Hybrid models are emerging as a solution to these limitations, offering a broader range, such as Dream Aero's 1,000-kilometer range hybrid models, thus attracting investor interest [para. 6][para. 7]. Despite the potential advantages, hybrid eVTOLs remain nascent, with mainstream focus still on all-electric models from companies like Joby and Archer[para. 8][para. 9]. Domestic companies like EHang and Volant are also committed to all-electric solutions, inspired by the prospects of solid-state batteries enhancing range[para. 10][para. 11]. The industry is exploring battery-swapping as an solution to address the slow energy replenishment issue associated with solid-state batteries. This model reduces downtime but requires substantial investment in infrastructure [para. 12][para. 13].
Proponents of hybrid eVTOLs argue they offer advantages in range and recharging, potentially mirroring past trends in the new energy vehicle market [para. 14][para. 15]. However, challenges remain, including complex production and a lack of certification experience from regulators [para. 16][para. 17]. Globally, there is skepticism about eVTOL endurance, with major firms like Airbus pausing projects due to supply chain immaturity and insufficient range capability [para. 18][para. 19]. Core application areas for eVTOL aircraft are medium-distance commutes, yet current batteries do not meet commercial range expectations [para. 20][para. 21].
Joby Aviation and other companies have conducted tests indicating distances over 200 kilometers, but these lacked passengers, challenging their relevance [para. 22][para. 23]. Battery technology continues to be a hurdle, where innovations like metal lithium batteries are anticipated, though they introduce safety concerns and remain in development [para. 24][para. 25][para. 26]. Besides, operational safety standards, like those requiring residual battery capacity post-flight, reduce practical range even further[para. 27][para. 28].
Advanced battery technologies are expected to extend the range of purely electric eVTOLs by 60%, but they still fall short compared to new energy vehicles [para. 29][para. 30][para. 31]. Hybrid technologies, including fast-charging networks similar to those developed by BETA, aim to alleviate range anxiety[para. 32][para. 33][para. 34]. Additionally, battery-swapping, illustrated by Volocopter's model, offers rapid transitions but requires substantial investment[para. 35][para. 36][para. 37].
The operational challenges of purely electric eVTOLs have fostered opportunities for hybrid variants. These hybrids typically extend the purely electric eVTOL range with on-board generators, offering a promising balance between fuel-based and electric powered flight[para. 38][para. 39][para. 40]. Industry data suggest that hybrid eVTOLs potentially bring cost efficiencies, noting higher initial costs but projected savings in operational expenses[para. 41][para. 42][para. 43].
Currently, purely electric eVTOLs are primarily pursuing airworthiness certification. Regulatory bodies demonstrate a flexible attitude towards certification, supporting varied technological approaches[para. 44][para. 45][para. 46]. The civil aviation authorities' openness to innovative designs, as exemplified by EHang's recent certification successes, aligns with a policy encouraging diverse innovation pathways [para. 47][para. 48][para. 49][para. 50]. Though, hybrid eVTOLs are expected to enter the market slightly later than their electric counterparts[para. 51][para. 52].
- 2018：
- EHang's EH216 launched, but substantive airworthiness certification actions didn't occur until 2021.
- January 2021：
- Civil Aviation Administration of China accepted EHang's application for a Type Certificate (TC) for the EH216-S.
- 2021：
- Substantive actions towards airworthiness certification for EHang's EH216 occurred.
- February 22, 2022：
- CAAC issued the "Special Conditions for EHang EH216-S Unmanned Aircraft System," marking the world's first airworthiness certification document for manned unmanned aerial vehicles.
- October 13, 2023：
- EHang's EH216-S received its Type Certificate (TC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, becoming the first eVTOL company to obtain a TC.
- November 2023：
- Archer announced using BETA's Charge Cube in its flight tests.
- December 14, 2023：
- At the Shenzhen eVTOL World conference, Wang Min from the Civil Aviation Administration of China's (CAAC) Airworthiness Certification Center expressed the regulatory attitude towards new energy aircraft.
- August 28, 2024：
- UBS Securities released a research report on solid-state batteries as potential options for eVTOL.
- January 27, 2025：
- Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, announced the suspension of its eVTOL project during an earnings call.
- February 14, 2025：
- Porsche Consulting released a report pointing out the economic performance comparison between all-electric and hybrid aircraft.
- February 20, 2025：
- Dream Aero announced completion of Pre-A and Pre-A+ round financings.
- February 27, 2025：
- Lancia Aviation announced completion of angel round and angel+ financing.
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