In Depth: Range Anxiety Gives Hybrid Flying Cars a Lift

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles are emerging in Chinese cities with government support directed towards establishing a "low-altitude economy." However, an unforeseen issue known as "range anxiety" has arisen, similar to challenges observed in land-based electric vehicles (EVs). This anxiety creates an opportunity for hybrid flying-car manufacturers to innovate.[para. 1]

Metropolitan areas such as Shanghai and Shenzhen aim to utilize their airspace for commercial operations, allowing companies in transport, logistics, and tourism to use drones and flying vehicles to expand their services. The potential for these innovations is substantial, notwithstanding current limitations.[para. 2]

Presently, purely electric eVTOLs generally have a maximum range of about 200 kilometers on a single battery charge. This limitation might hinder the full realization of a green low-altitude economy. As a result, the emergence of hybrid eVTOL models offering a longer range is attracting interest, as they combine internal combustion engines with electric motors to extend their operational distance.[para. 3][para. 4]

Some startups, like Zhuimeng Kongtian Technology and Lanxiao Aviation Technology, claim their hybrid models can potentially fly up to 1,000 kilometers without needing a recharge. However, established industry players such as EHang Holdings and Volant Aerotech remain focused on all-electric eVTOLs, looking into advancements like solid-state batteries and battery-swapping stations to overcome these challenges.[para. 5][para. 6][para. 7]

The current challenge for eVTOLs lies in battery technology, where available batteries don’t yet meet the required energy density and performance metrics for commercial viability. The high electricity consumption of eVTOLs compared to land-based EVs and the need for higher discharge rates due to specific flight maneuvers further complicate these endeavors.[para. 10][para. 11]

Regulatory obstacles also contribute to these challenges, with Chinese regulations requiring eVTOLs to maintain a certain percentage of battery capacity for safety, thus reducing their effective range. Industry leaders are exploring solid-state batteries, which promise higher energy densities and safeties, though their development is complex and capital-intensive.[para. 12][para. 13][para. 14]

Hybrid eVTOLs offer significant operational advantages, allowing multiple takeoffs and landings per single fuel charge, thus reducing the wear on batteries compared to purely electric models. Despite their current higher costs due to complex structures and production scales, these hybrids could solve some pressing issues for eVTOL technology.[para. 16][para. 19][para. 20]

China's government strongly backs the development of eVTOL technology, aiming for advancements in low-altitude economic activity through supportive policies and strategic plans. Autonomy in aviation is gradually becoming a reality, with operational milestones like EHang's certified self-flying vehicles paving the way for future implementations.[para. 24][para. 25][para. 26]

Overall, while hybrid eVTOLs have yet to receive widespread regulatory approvals, they present a promising alternative that could meet range and efficiency needs more effectively than current all-electric models. The government's balancing act between innovation and safety, as emphasized by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, would eventually dictate the pace and success of these aerial technologies.[para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 32]