Traffic jam on the highway during Chinese New Year? Let’s “fly” in the future!

In recent years, with the continuous advancement of science and technology, a new type of transportation called "air car" has gradually emerged. This type of transportation does not require ground roads, takes off and lands vertically, and does not require a runway. It is expected to become an effective tool for managing congestion in large cities. In order to get a share of this huge market, many start-ups are studying how to solve the problems faced by air cars, such as lightweighting and increasing the range of the vehicle.

Lightweight is the key

One of the biggest challenges of aerial cars is how to achieve lightweight. Due to the need for vertical takeoff and landing, the aircraft must have a smaller mass and lighter structure. This requires the use of lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber composites, to reduce energy consumption during takeoff and landing. This is why many startups are working hard to develop more efficient materials and designs to achieve better lightweighting in aerial cars.

However, simply increasing the range by lightweighting may not be enough. Therefore, some companies are looking for hybrid solutions, combining fuel engines with battery drives to extend the range. For example, the ATEA aircraft developed by the French company Superior Flight Technologies uses a hybrid drive method, using kerosene and batteries to reduce fuel consumption and thus increase the range.

The dawn of airworthiness certificate

In addition, solving the range problem of aerial cars also requires efforts at the technical and regulatory levels. In recent years, governments have been open to the development and commercialization of aerial cars, and some companies have obtained airworthiness certificates, which also means that aerial cars are not far from formal commercialization. For example, China's electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, Xiaopeng Huitian's Traveler X2, has obtained a special flight license issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China Central and Southern Region.

In addition, some companies are also seeking solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Since the operation of air vehicles does not produce tailpipe emissions, reducing carbon emissions is crucial to environmental protection. Some companies are developing more efficient electric motors and battery technologies to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

The future of flying cars

In the future, with the development of technology and policy support, air cars are expected to become an important supplement to urban transportation. As an efficient, environmentally friendly and convenient means of transportation, air cars are expected to play an important role in solving problems such as urban traffic congestion and public transportation pressure. At the same time, with the development of technology and the innovation of business models, air cars are also likely to become a new market for personal air transportation.

In addition, with the expansion of the aerial vehicle market, it will also drive the development of related industrial chains, such as avionics equipment, new materials, new energy and other industries. This will bring huge opportunities and challenges to the global economy.

In general, as an emerging means of transportation, aerial cars have great potential and opportunities. As long as we can overcome the challenges of lightweight and long range, aerial cars will become an important part of future transportation. Let's wait and see how this industry will develop!