EHang has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bao'an District Government of Shenzhen municipality on a comprehensive strategic partnership in urban air mobility (UAM) for commercial operation of its EH216-S AAVs following the completion of EH216-S type certification.

Bao'an District and EHang will jointly develop UAM use cases, systems and routes to build Shenzhen as a national low-altitude economy development demonstration city. EHang plans to establish the company's first UAM operation demonstration centre at the OH Bay, an urban landmark in Shenzhen, and to launch aerial tourism and sightseeing experience services with EH216-S AAVs.

The Bao'an District Government will provide comprehensive support for EH216-S AAV procurement, financial leasing, infrastructure construction and low-altitude operations in the area. Based on that, EHang plans to establish an EH216-S AAV assembly and delivery centre, a research and development testing centre, as well as a maintenance support centre in Bao'an District in the future to ensure local UAM operational services.

EHang COO Xin Fang says: “Shenzhen is a city full of innovative vitality and possesses a strong foundation in intelligent manufacturing with expansive market demands for the development of the low-altitude economy, which the city is currently vigorously promoting. We are delighted to collaborate with the Bao'an District Government of Shenzhen municipality to jointly explore UAM operations. We look forward to contributing EHang's expertise by advancing the sales, uses and maintenance of EH216-S AAVs to ultimately nurture high-quality development of the low-altitude economy in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

Executive deputy district mayor Meng Jinjin says: “Bao'an District has been committed to providing a favourable market environment and policy framework for enterprises in the low-altitude economy industry and highly values the innovative development of the new aviation industry. EHang boasts extensive experience in the research, development, production, and operations of passenger-carrying AAVs. Starting with the UAM operation demonstration centre at the OH Bay, we aspire to further collaborate with EHang to carry out various UAM projects in Bao'an District, with a goal to develop more than 10 routes within this year. We believe our partnership with EHang will drive the prosperity of the low-altitude economy in Bao'an District and bring a more convenient and efficient way of life to Shenzhen for a prosperous blueprint for the low-altitude economy.”

The Bao'an District Government officially issued its low-altitude economy development plan at its 2023 Low-Altitude Economy Investment Promotion Conference.

Since the beginning of this year, Shenzhen municipality has continued to strengthen its support for the low-altitude economy industry. Shenzhen's 2023 Government Work Report proposed to establish a low-altitude economy centre and a civil unmanned aerial vehicle demonstration zone, and put the Regulations on Promotion of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Low-Altitude Economy Industry as its key legislative project. Bao'an District is a core aviation industrial hub in Shenzhen, with a robust manufacturing foundation and well-established supply chain that possesses strong advantages for the development of the low-altitude economy. The OH Bay has a prosperous and well-developed cultural and tourism industry, which will provide a broad market prospect for the EH216-S AAV to be the first eVTOL aircraft to launch and operate in this area.