Chinese EV maker Xpeng Motors’ modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier (LAC), completed a low-altitude flight in Shanghai’s central business district, announced the company’s subsidiary, AeroHT, on December 14.
The vehicle took off from a rooftop in the city’s Lujiazui area and circled landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the World Financial Center.
The historic event marked the first successful low-altitude flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in China’s largest economic hub.
Priced at around RMB 2 million ($274,600), the LAC is scheduled for pre-sale this month, with initial deliveries planned for early next year.
Features and development milestones
Xpeng’s flagship project, the Land Aircraft Carrier, combines a large three-axle vehicle with an aircraft capable of carrying two passengers. The new land aircraft carrier is a six-wheeled van with a two-man quadcopter.
First introduced in October 2023, the LAC was officially launched in September 2024. By November, it had successfully performed its first public flight, attracting over 2,000 orders. Earlier this month, the vehicle was also spotted undergoing road tests in China.
The Mothership, the ground-based component of the LAC, operates on an EREV powertrain and an 800V platform. Measuring 5.5 meters, it offers an impressive range of up to 1,000 km in EREV mode and can recharge the aircraft from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
CEO He Xiaopeng’s test drive
Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng was recently seen testing the Land Aircraft Carrier, signaling significant progress in the project’s development.
In a video shared on social media, He was observed driving the vehicle with its window open, interacting casually with an employee.
The test car showcased sleek A-pillars, flush door handles, and cameras replacing traditional mirrors. Additional features included a sporty roof spoiler, wide wheel arches, large air intakes, mm-wave radar, and swing-out doors.
Production plans
With deliveries slated to begin in 2026, Xpeng aims for an annual production volume of 10,000 units, positioning the LAC as a groundbreaking innovation in the mobility sector.