China’s Xpeng starts trial production of flying cars, racing ahead of Tesla

Chinese electric vehicle company Xpeng has taken a major step into the future of transportation by starting trial production of flying cars. The move puts China ahead of Tesla and other global competitors who are also planning to launch flying cars soon.

The flying car arm of Xpeng, called Xpeng Aeroht, began production this week at what is being called the world’s first intelligent factory for mass-producing flying cars, located in the Huangpu district of Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province. The factory covers 120,000 square meters and is designed to produce 10,000 detachable aircraft modules a year, with an initial capacity of 5,000 units. According to state media, the facility can assemble one aircraft every 30 minutes once fully operational, making it the largest of its kind in the world.

The company has already rolled out the first detachable electric aircraft module, named the “Land Aircraft Carrier”. The flying car itself consists of a six-wheel ground vehicle called the “mothership” and a detachable electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Xpeng’s eVTOL vehicles offer both automatic and manual flight modes, allowing smart route planning and one-touch take-off and landing. At 5.5 meters long, the vehicle can be driven on public roads and parked in normal spaces using a standard driving license.

Xpeng has received nearly 5,000 pre-orders for the flying car, and mass production and deliveries are planned for 2026.

Global competition heating up

Tesla CEO Elon Musk told Fox News that his company is getting closer to building a flying car prototype. While Musk did not provide technical details, he suggested the unveiling could be “unforgettable” and hinted at features like retractable wings. Musk indicated the product demo could happen within the next few months.

Another US firm, Alef Aeronautics, has already conducted flying car test runs and announced that commercial production will start soon. Alef has received over $1 billion in pre-booked orders. Its vehicles will require drivers to hold both a standard driver’s license and a light plane flying license.

Implications for laws, rules, and society

Flying cars are no longer science fiction, but their arrival raises serious questions about safety, laws, and society:

Traffic rules and licenses:

• People may need special flying licenses in addition to a driving license.

• New air-traffic rules may be required to prevent collisions, especially in urban areas.

Infrastructure Changes:

• Cities may need vertical take-off and landing pads, parking zones, and charging stations for eVTOL vehicles.

• Air corridors above cities may have to be regulated like roads, with speed limits and no-fly zones.

Safety and insurance:

• Flying cars will need strict safety regulations, crash standards, and emergency protocols.

• Insurance companies will have to rethink coverage, combining car and aircraft policies.

Societal impact:

• Flying cars could reduce traffic congestion but may increase accidents if regulations are weak.

• High costs may initially limit ownership to the wealthy, creating a new form of urban mobility inequality.

• Delivery, logistics, and emergency services could benefit from faster air travel.

Chinese EV industry context

China’s electric vehicle makers have seen rapid growth, with 2.01 million EVs exported in the first eight months of 2025, a 51% increase from last year. But challenges remain:

• The European Union has imposed a 27% tariff on Chinese EVs, limiting overseas sales.

• Domestically, companies face overcapacity and price wars.

Looking ahead

With Xpeng leading trial production and Tesla and Alef racing to catch up, flying cars may soon become a reality for urban transport. However, governments worldwide will need to update laws, safety regulations, and infrastructure to ensure that this futuristic mode of transport can be safe, practical, and equitable.