Daily Times

A “flying car” built by Chinese electronic vehicle maker Xpeng made its first public flight in the United Arab Emirates, as the company works towards launching electric aircraft on international markets.

The X2 is a two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that is lifted by eight propellers – two at each corner of the vehicle.

Monday’s unmanned, 90-minute test flight in Dubai was described by its manufacturer as an “important base for the next generation of flying cars.”

“We are making step-by-step (moves) to the international market,” said Minguan Qiu, general manager of Xpeng Aeroht. “First we selected Dubai city because Dubai is the most innovative city in the world.”

We have been watching flying cars in the movies for decades and reading about them for quite a few years.

If industry executives are to be believed, comes 2025, flying cars will be a reality and people will be travelling in flying cars, literally, including in Dubai, one of the richest cities in the world.

“Many countries are pushing towards the 2025 launch of flying cars. We are also planning commercial production of our two-seater model from 2025,” said Tomohiro Fukuzawa, chief executive officer of SkyDrive Inc.

The Japanese flying car manufacturer is showcasing a single-seater flying car at Gitex Global 2022. “We are here at Gitex Global 2022 to look for partners or potential customers.”

Chinese vehicle manufacturer XPeng on Monday made the first successful global public flight of its X2 flying car in Dubai. In addition, the company is also developing a six-generation flying car that people can drive on the road as well.

Dr Brian Gu, vice-chairman and president of XPeng, said three parallel developments need to come together to make flying cars realistic. “First is technology such as testing flying capability, and safety, second is the approval of regulations and third is consumer acceptance. All of these needs to be in place to be a reality.”

He added that the price of flying cars has not yet been decided but will most likely be in line with luxury cars such as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

“We want to start the process and make consumer products available that have the ability to drive and fly in 2025. It will take time to penetrate because people will slowly get confident,” he said during the media briefing on the sidelines of Gitex.

Dr Gu expects flying cars to be flying around 100-metre – or even lower altitude.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been instrumental to bring Xpeng to Dubai for the global public test flight.

Omar Abdulaziz AlKhan, executive director for international offices at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there will be more tests happening of X2 flying cars in Dubai and then it will be commercialised.

AlKhan also expects the flying car to be commercialised in 2025.