Prototype solid-state eVTOL battery pushes EHang's pilotless airtime
GUANGZHOU, China - After receiving the world's first type certification a year ago and delivering dozens of aircraft for low-altitude tourism initiatives, China's EHang has become a de facto leader in the burgeoning eVTOL industry. This month, it used that leadership role toward advancing the use of solid-state battery technology in the air, completing what it calls the world's first solid-state battery test in a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL. With nearly 500 Wh/kg of energy density, the solid-state battery contributes to a serious boost in endurance, previewing a promising future of improved autonomy and utility among eVTOLs, C.C. Weiss writes for New Atlas. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
25 November 2024 - Equipped with this solid-state battery, EH216-S completed a continuous 48 minutes and 10 seconds flight test, which is applicable to different flight requirements and significantly improves the flight endurance by 60%-90%. Notably, this marks a milestone as the first pilotless passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to complete a flight test with a solid-state battery.
The solid-state lithium battery utilizes metallic lithium as the anode and oxide ceramics as the electrolyte, resulting in significant enhancement in energy density and safety. With an energy density of 480Wh/kg and exceptional stability, the battery enhances the flight performance of the EH216-S, broadening its application across the low-altitude economy sector, especially in multiple use cases such as long-range air mobility, aerial logistics, high-rise firefighting, etc.
Related: EHang and China Southern Airlines announce pilotless eVTOL collaboration
Related: EHang takes passengers on eVTOL demo flights in China
Related: EHang receives production certificate for self-flying air taxis
Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics