Chinese company Xpeng is preparing to launch a unique minivan with an aircraft on board
If the Lexus concept car in the form of a six-wheeled minivan seemed like a bold fantasy, then the Chinese technology company Xpeng is going even further. It has developed its own six-wheeled van, but with a key feature: a full-fledged electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) is housed in its rear section. Unlike many concepts, Xpeng is already preparing to begin deliveries to customers this year.
The model, known as the Land Aircraft Carrier, will be produced under the Aridge brand, a new Xpeng subsidiary specializing in aerial vehicles. From a distance, it might seem like just a modified cargo van, but its purpose is very specific: transporting and storing an electric aircraft.
Production and Specifications
Production of both the van and the eVTOL aircraft will be carried out at a specialized plant in Guangzhou. Initially, it is planned to produce 5,000 units per year, with a subsequent increase in capacity to 10,000. To simplify the process, customers will be offered only three body color options: Stellar Silver, Gray Moonstone, and White Supernova.
The full set, including both the van and the aircraft, will cost about 2 million yuan (approximately $287,000). The van’s length is about 5.5 meters, width – 2 meters, height – 2 meters. This is a fairly large vehicle, but its dimensions are justified by the need to transport the aircraft.
Technical Details and Features
The technical specifications of the van’s powertrain are not yet fully disclosed. It is known that it will operate on an 800-volt electric system with a range-extender electric vehicle configuration. The company claims a target range of over 1,000 kilometers. The van’s body is made of aluminum alloys, and the rear doors open upwards, providing access to the aircraft.
The van’s cargo compartment will have a built-in charger for the aircraft, which is a smart engineering solution for integrating the two vehicles.
Safety Issues and Certification
The eVTOL aircraft itself is made primarily of carbon fiber and has six rotors. Although it has received a local airworthiness certificate, an accident occurred last September: two prototypes collided during a flight at an airshow. One of the aircraft fell and caught fire, but fortunately, no one died. This incident, however, may raise some safety concerns among future owners.
The emergence of a product like the Land Aircraft Carrier demonstrates how actively Chinese technology companies are exploring the boundaries of mobility by combining ground and air transport. This is not just a concept, but a serial product preparing to enter the market, indicating significant investment and belief in the future of multimodal travel. The success of this project could set a new trend where a vehicle becomes not just a means of transportation, but a mobile base for a faster and more flexible way of moving through the air. The market’s reaction to such an innovation and its practical implementation in everyday life will be among the most interesting aspects to observe in the coming years.