BUSINESS

In Depth: Motor-Makers Start Their Engines for Electric Aviation Takeoff

Published: Sep. 4, 2025 4:21 p.m. GMT+8

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The EHang EH216-S flying vehicle takes off. Photo: EHang

Chinese upstarts and their established foreign rivals are in a race to control a field that looks set to take off in the coming years: electric aircraft motors.

Domestic firms have piled into the sector amid Beijing’s pledges of support for the “low-altitude economy” — which includes drones, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and electric fixed-wing aircraft.

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What Happened When

2014：: MAGicALL Inc. began building custom motors for Airbus’ eVTOL prototypes.

2018：: magniX moved its headquarters from Australia to Washington state.

2019：: magniX began retrofitting electric motors onto seaplanes, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

2021：: magniX was awarded a NASA contract worth $74.3 million for ground and flight tests of electrified aircraft propulsion technologies.

2021：: The FAA issued its first special airworthiness standard for an electric motor to magniX.

February 2024：: Safran SA won the first-ever type certificate from EASA for an electric aircraft motor, the ENGINeUS 100.

2024：: China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) issued guidance allowing electric motors to apply under existing engine regulations.

This year (2025)：: Zhuhai Enpower Electric Co. Ltd. formed a joint venture with EHang Holdings Ltd.; Wolong Electric Group Co. Ltd. teamed up with Aerofugia Technology Co. Ltd. to supply electric propulsion systems.