By the end of this year, an eVTOL powered by CATL batteries is expected to make its maiden flight, the battery maker's chairman said.
CATL is expected to see a major advancement in the flying car space within this year, as the power battery giant expands its business reach.
By the end of this year, an eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) powered by CATL batteries is expected to make its maiden flight, the battery maker's chairman Robin Zeng said yesterday at the 2024 World Power Battery Conference in Yibin, Sichuan province, southwest China.
The electric aircraft sector is promising, and CATL has successfully test-flown a 4-ton civil electric aircraft last year, Zeng said, according to a presentation shared by CATL today.
CATL is the world's largest maker of power batteries, with a share of more than 30 percent, and is the choice of many electric vehicle (EV) models.
Last month, the company opened a Ning Space in Chengdu, Sichuan province, the world's first new energy experience center. The showroom brings together nearly 100 models from nearly 50 car brands, and CATL said the facility gives consumers a never-ending car show.
The battery maker unveiled the Condensed Battery at the Shanghai auto show in April 2023, saying it is expected to be used in electric airplanes.
On June 25 this year, Zeng said at the Summer Davos Forum that CATL had successfully test-flown a 4-ton civil electric aircraft and expected to release an 8-ton civil electric aircraft by 2027 to 2028.
The 8-ton aircraft can support a range of about 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers, Zeng said at the time.
Last month, Autoflight, which specializes in automated eVTOL technology, announced an investment from CATL, marking the battery maker's first investment in a startup in the space.
Autoflight announced on August 3 that CATL would invest hundreds of millions of dollars in it as a strategic investor.
The two will establish a long-term partnership to work on eVTOL aviation batteries, Autoflight said.
Founded in 2017, Shanghai-based Autoflight is one of the earliest companies in China's eVTOL space, aiming to provide air logistics and air travel solutions.
CATL invests in Autoflight as it targets emerging eVTOL sector
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