Chinese flying cars more commercially viable than Tesla’s Roadster, says Xpeng executive

According to Wang Tan, a co-founder of Aridge, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, flying cars developed by Chinese entities appear more commercially viable than Tesla's Roadster, based on a recent demonstration by the US tech giant. Despite the Roadster's visual spectacle of mid-air flips and successful landings, its impractical jet-like design, limited by high-pressure storage tanks, severely restricts cabin space and functionality, according to Wang.

Additionally, the Roadster only offers a brief flight time of a few seconds due to the rapid depletion of cold-gas pressure in the storage tanks. In contrast, an Xpeng aircraft can stay airborne for approximately 20 minutes, providing a more practical mode of transportation. Wang believes that, in the future, Tesla's Roadster may not serve as a viable vehicle for air travel due to its limitations.

The key factor distinguishing Chinese technologies is the adoption of multiple rotors, which allows for hovering capabilities and longer flight times through high-density batteries. Xpeng's Land Aircraft Carrier, which combines an aircraft and an off-road vehicle as a power bank, could expand applications beyond tourism to emergency rescue and industrial maintenance in offshore wind farms or oil platforms.

Other companies like Shanghai Volant Aerotech and Aerofugia use compound wings and tilt-rotors, respectively, to achieve higher speeds or longer flight times. While Tesla's Roadster sparked debate on Chinese social media regarding its superiority over Chinese rivals, state media, including the Communist Party's People's Daily, emphasized confidence in China's EV industry.

Xpeng Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng acknowledged that while the Roadster provided a new solution, all flying cars' feasibility is still subject to safety, security, flight times, and regulatory certification. Wang expects Xpeng's aircraft to achieve even longer flight times as battery energy density increases and lightweight materials advance, marking a significant difference from Tesla's Roadster.

However, Wang also noted that Xpeng's safety approval certificate application with China's Civil Aviation Administration is progressing slower than anticipated, but the firm remains committed to proving the product's safety to secure regulatory approval. Priced at 2 million yuan (US$300,000), Xpeng has received over 7,000 orders worldwide since presales began in December 2024.