Aridge’s modular eVTOL flying vehicle, displayed at the company’s Guangzhou headquarters in April 2026. Credit: CnEVPost
- Xpeng Aridge, Ehang, Volant and Autoflight were included in the first batch of compliant companies.
- The measures are intended to shorten the airworthiness certification cycle for passenger eVTOL aircraft and accelerate their commercial deployment.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has published a proposed list of the first batch of compliant companies for civil passenger eVTOL airworthiness certification, with Xpeng’s (NYSE: XPEV) flying-car unit Aridge among 4 domestic manufacturers selected.
Joining Aridge on the list are Ehang (NASDAQ: EH), Volant and CATL-backed (HKEX: 3750) AutoFlight.
Xpeng chairman and chief executive officer He Xiaopeng confirmed the inclusion in a Weibo post on Wednesday, saying, “Thank you all, and let’s keep working hard to deliver safety and innovation.”
Companies on the compliance list will be eligible for 3 main forms of preferential treatment, including simplified certification procedures, priority handling of application materials and mutual recognition of phased test results across different batches.
The measures are intended to shorten the airworthiness certification cycle for passenger eVTOL aircraft and accelerate their commercial deployment.
An eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, is a new type of electrically powered aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically. It can be used in scenarios including urban air mobility and short-distance transportation.
The introduction of the list marks a shift in China’s eVTOL airworthiness oversight from a uniform review system toward a more refined, tiered certification process.
Leading compliant companies are expected to see faster certification progress and could be the first to achieve commercial deployment.
Aridge is currently advancing the airworthiness certification of its modular Land Aircraft Carrier flying car.
The product consists of a ground vehicle and a 2-seat aircraft that can be stored inside it. It will be priced at less than 2 million yuan ($294,410), Aridge previously said.
Mr. He said during the Beijing Auto Show in April that the product had received 7,000 pre-orders and was scheduled to begin mass production in 2026.
Aridge was renamed from Xpeng Aeroht in October 2025. It has raised about $1 billion in equity financing and is actively preparing for an initial public offering in Hong Kong.
The latest funding round of nearly $200 million brings Aridge’s total historical equity financing to about $1 billion.
($1 = 6.7933 yuan)
