EHang is to jointly develop a low-altitude economy ecosystem in Hefei City, Anhui Province with China's Hefei Municipal Government, which intends to provide support in the form of coordinating or facilitating purchase orders for no less than 100 units of the EH216 series UAVs and financing support amounting to $100 million.

EHang will participate in Hefei's Full-Space Unmanned System Integrated Application Demonstration Project and launch regular operations with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Luogang Central Park, which is set to become a UAM super aerohub.

Founder, chairman and CEO Huazhi Hu says: “We are delighted to partner with another influential city to propel the widespread growth of the emerging UAM sector. Hefei has consistently prioritised the development of unmanned technologies and boasts extensive experience in promoting emerging technology companies. In collaboration with the Hefei Municipal Government, we are committed to advancing safe, autonomous and eco-friendly UAM solutions in Hefei as well as expanding commercial operations with the EH216-S to more cities. We have full confidence that this partnership will expedite the implementation of low-altitude industries with significant contributions to the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy in China.”

The Hefei Municipal Government will actively support EHang in diversifying UAV applications and cooperation in cultural tourism, emergency and rescue, logistics, firefighting and other 'low-altitude +' scenarios within the local market. To accelerate the establishment of the Full-Space Unmanned System, EHang will also benefit from comprehensive support in utilising land space, infrastructure development and specialised operational subsidies. EHang intends to set up its regional headquarters for eastern China in Hefei to promote UAV production, sales and operations and accelerate UAM adoption in the area.

As a pilot area for the national low-altitude airspace management reform, Anhui Province is actively building a low-altitude industrial cluster. Hefei City stands as a central player with a pivotal hub node in Anhui Province's pilot programme and is committed to establishing itself as a regional service centre for general aviation, especially in fostering favourable conditions for enterprises developing the low-altitude economy in China. Recently, EHang obtained the world's first type certificate for an unmanned eVTOL aircraft from the CAAC for its EH216-S. By leveraging the strategic advantages offered by Anhui Province and Hefei City, including location, talent pool and favourable policies, EHang plans to commence commercial operations with the EH216-S.

“EHang has bridged the gap in the field of the low-altitude economy, securing its place in the history, which is a commendable achievement,” says Aihua Yu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Anhui Provincial Committee and Secretary of Hefei Municipal Committee.

Yunfeng Luo, deputy secretary and mayor of the Hefei Municipal Committee, adds: “EHang's innovative UAV technology holds tremendous potential across a multitude of sectors such as tourism, transportation, logistics, healthcare, emergency response and urban management. Through our collaboration, we aim to boost the synergistic innovation efficiency of Hefei's low-altitude economic development and facilitate the integrated development of low-altitude domains. Together, we will build a modern, comprehensive transportation system for the future.”