Cybertruck-looking 'mobile aircraft carrier' developed in China can hide away and launch a 2-person flying car
LAS VEGAS — Engineers in China have shown off a one-of-a-kind flying car that can be packed away beneath a vehicle similar in design to a Tesla Cybertruck for transportation, essentially turning it into a mobile plane carrier.
The flying element is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, which works by utilising motors and propellers positioned across the width of the frame to generate lift, a technique called distributed electric propulsion.
These motors and propellers are housed in the Cybertruck-design "mothership", described by Xpeng Aeroht representatives as an inaugural vehicle due to its 800V engine and internal platform, which can enhance its range to more than 620 miles, or 1,000 kilometres.
The eVTOL flying car, itself featuring six rotors and constructed from carbon fibre, accommodates two passengers within its cabin, boasting a 270-degree panoramic view from every angle. A finished prototype of the vehicle made its appearance in Las Vegas in January 2025, despite still being under development as of November 2024.
Related: A futuristic airliner-style taxi that can take off vertically is anticipated to become available for commercial use by 2028.
Representatives of the company informed Live Science that the aircraft's aerial component can be operated either by a human pilot or by autonomous systems, with the pilot possessing the ability to take control if necessary. Regardless of whether the vehicle is being piloted manually or autonomously, a flight control and navigation system guarantees that the air taxi remains stable at all times and the flight remains safe.
The eVTOL's transition from being stored within the vehicle to being outside is managed by eight control modules and 14 actuators – devices that generate force or torque when an electric current is applied. Upon release from the land vehicle, the eVTOL's rotors deploy from the central unit. Subsequently, the rotors start spinning and the flying car begins to take to the air.
The firm demonstrated a separable component of the flying car, with a clear distinction made between the land and air units, and a rejoining of the two at a later point.
A factory responsible for building a "land-based aircraft carrier" is expecting to reach an annual production capacity of 10,000 units – with production of the aerial module due to commence in the third quarter of 2025, ahead of deliveries getting underway in 2026. Company officials anticipate the vehicle will be used by people who travel on pleasure trips and wish to explore new landscapes.
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