The future of transportation is taking to the skies, as XPeng, the Chinese electric vehicle company, is rapidly advancing its flying car ambitions. XPeng’s dedicated flying car unit, AEROHT, has officially broken ground on a large-scale manufacturing base in Guangzhou, China, signifying a major step towards realizing their vision of urban air mobility.
This new facility, spanning a massive 180,000 square meters, will be responsible for producing the air module of the company’s modular flying car, aptly named the Land Aircraft Carrier. AEROHT is aiming for an impressive annual production capacity of 10,000 units.
The Land Aircraft Carrier boasts a unique design that allows for seamless transitions between ground and air travel. The vehicle consists of two separate modules: a ground module for terrestrial transportation and an air module that houses the aerial components for flight. These modules can automatically detach and combine, offering a seamless transition between modes.
AEROHT is not alone in its pursuit of flying car technology. Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, has also set its sights on the skies with its upcoming Roadster. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted at a collaboration with SpaceX, his rocket company, to equip the Roadster with cutting-edge technology that could enable it to fly.
While the exact details of Tesla’s flying car plans remain shrouded in mystery, the company has already revealed a number of tantalizing features.
Musk has promised that the Roadster will be capable of reaching 0 to 60 mph in less than one second, shattering Tesla’s own previous estimate of 1.9 seconds. This astonishing acceleration would make the Roadster one of the quickest vehicles ever produced.
Tesla first unveiled a prototype of the Roadster in 2017, initially aiming for production in 2020. However, the vehicle’s development has been subject to delays. With the Roadster now slated for a 2025 release, both Tesla and XPeng are poised to revolutionize transportation by bringing flying car technology to the masses. This race to the skies will undoubtedly have a profound impact on how we move around in the future.
