Guangzhou, China, April 29, 2024 - EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, announced that its EH216-S pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft successfully completed its first autonomous eVTOL flight at DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi on April 25, 2024, setting its first flight footprint in this state. Amidst the UAE's fervent drive to advance air transportation, the inaugural DRIFTx event was hosted in Abu Dhabi, spotlighting the forefront of innovative transportation technology. EH216-S took center stage during the event, conducting a series of autonomous demo flights, capturing the attention of Emirati royalty, civil aviation authorities, government officials, media representatives, and a multitude of local spectators, offering them a firsthand glimpse into the technological marvels of urban air mobility. As the world's first certified passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft, the EH216-S reaffirmed its position as the global leader in the UAM sector.
(Picture: The EH216-S debut flight in Abu Dhabi.)
EHang participated in the event with its EH216 series pilotless eVTOL aircraft and, for the first time overseas, showcased the long-range lift-and-cruise aircraft VT-30, underscoring pivotal use cases in air mobility. The EH216 series comprises of: (i) the EH216-S, for intra-city passenger transportation, aerial sightseeing, air taxi service, which obtained the world’s first type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China; (ii) the EH216-L, for heavy-duty aerial logistics operations; and (iii) the EH216-F, for high-rise building firefighting.
(Picture: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan visited EHang booth.)
Amidst the sweeping global trend towards urban air mobility, EHang introduced its VT-30, a long-range, lift-and-cruise aircraft, marking its inaugural overseas showcase in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”). Boasting a two-seater lift-and-cruise configuration and a 300km designed flight range, the VT-30 adheres to the pilotless, pure electric, cluster management design principle. It is specifically engineered to complement the EH216, which targets intra-city air mobility, thereby enhancing the low-altitude transportation network and fostering the development of the UAM ecosystem.
(Picture: EHang’s long-range lift-and-cruise aircraft VT-30, showcased at the DRIFTx in Abu Dhabi.)
Supported by Abu Dhabi Investment Office (“ADIO”) and Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (“SAVI”) cluster, Abu Dhabi’s inaugural DRIFTx is an international platform and exhibition to showcase the latest in advanced urban mobility applications across air, land, and sea. EHang’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Conor Yang, was invited to the panel on "eVTOL and Low Altitude Economy in the UAE and Middle East and North Africa (‘MENA’)", where he delved into EHang's pioneering accomplishments in the realm of urban air mobility.
(Picture: EHang’s CFO, Mr. Conor Yang in the panel at DRIFTx.)
EHang continues to solidify its presence in the UAE. During the DRIFTx event, EHang reached strategic collaboration with ADIO and the leading fintech group in the MENA region Multi Level Group, a subsidiary of EIH Ethmar International Holding (“EIH”), to drive eVTOL development in the UAE and beyond. In a landmark move in December 2023, EHang became a member of the SAVI Cluster in Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the ADIO.
Moreover, EHang has also established a strategic partnership with Wings Logistics Hub, the technology arm of EIH, to facilitate local certification and operations of the EH216 series eVTOL aircraft in the UAE. Under this partnership, Wings Logistics Hub intends to purchase up to 100 units of EHang's EH216 series eVTOL aircraft, demonstrating a strong commitment to integrating advanced aerial transportation solutions into the region's infrastructure.
About EHang
EHang (Nasdaq: EH) is the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company. Our mission is to enable safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone. EHang provides customers in various industries with unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) systems and solutions: air mobility (including passenger transportation and logistics), smart city management, and aerial media solutions. EHang’s EH216-S has obtained the world’s first type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. As the forerunner of cutting-edge UAV technologies and commercial solutions in the global UAM industry, EHang continues to explore the boundaries of the sky to make flying technologies benefit our life in smart cities. For more information, please visit www.ehang.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to those relating to certifications, our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and solutions and the commercialization of UAM services, our relationships with strategic partners, and current litigation and potential litigation involving us. Management has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While they believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management’s control. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause EHang’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
