- Xpeng’s X2 prototype, a sleek, carbon-fibre electric flying car, was recently showcased in Melbourne. It is capable of flying at 130 km/h but is currently grounded in Australia due to regulations.
- AMSL Aero’s Vertiia, a hydrogen-powered electric aircraft with an 800-kilometre range, aims to revolutionise emergency services. Commercial operations are expected by 2027.
- FlyOnE, an Australian pioneer in electric aviation, plans to launch air taxi services by 2024 and establish an international electric pilot training facility at Latrobe Regional Airport.
Electric flying car and plane are now on the cusp of transforming Australian travel prototypes and developments in this field point to a new era of urban mobility.
Chinese automaker Xpeng recently unveiled its X2 prototype in Melbourne. The sleek, carbon-fibre flying car, reminiscent of *The Jetsons,* is powered by eight electric motors. It can cruise quietly at speeds up to 130 km/h, offering passengers a smooth, futuristic ride. While the X2 can’t fly in Australia yet due to regulations, it has already been flown in Dubai and tested extensively in China.
Geoff Gwilym, Chief Executive of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the excitement around this breakthrough technology. “The Xpeng X2 took centre stage for good reason,” he said. “This advanced vehicle offers a glimpse into the future of low-altitude mobility.”
Xpeng isn’t the only company pushing boundaries. Australian start-up AMSL Aero is developing Vertiia, a hydrogen-powered electric aircraft with a range of up to 800 kilometres. Designed for longer journeys, Vertiia could revolutionise emergency services, including aeromedical evacuations in remote areas. Supported by a $3 million federal grant, AMSL Aero received its first commercial order from AirLink this year. The company aims to have Vertiia in service by 2027.
Global automakers are also entering the race. Toyota has invested $349 million in Joby Aviation, a California-based company specializing in electric air taxis. Joby’s aircraft, designed to carry four passengers at speeds of up to 321 km/h, is already undergoing safety testing in the United States. Toyota is working to bring this technology to Australia.
Hyundai is making significant progress with its Urban Air Mobility (UAM) division under the new brand Supernal. Their eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle is designed for urban travel. Hyundai’s vision goes beyond just the car; the company plans to build an entire ecosystem, including vertiports and air traffic management.
Meanwhile, Australian company FlyOnE has logged over 165,000 kilometres with its electric Pipistrel Electro aircraft. FlyOne plans to launch air taxi services by 2024, operating out of Western Australia and Victoria. The company also establishes an international electric pilot training facility at Latrobe Regional Airport.
“We are excited to lead the charge in sustainable aviation,” said Korum Ellis, Chief Executive of FlyOnE Sustainable Aviation. “Our new pilot training facility and air taxi services will provide eco-friendly travel options and train the next generation of pilots.”
Despite these advancements, regulatory challenges remain. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is working to develop the necessary regulations to integrate eVTOLs safely into Australian airspace. This includes creating specific flight corridors and establishing rigorous safety standards.
Electric flying vehicles will become standard in Australian skies as technology advances within the next few years.