EHang partners with Beijing Fangshan district government to launch national headquarters for low-altitude emergency rescue equipment

On December 26, 2024, EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH), the leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company, announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with the Fangshan District Government in Beijing, China. The collaboration marks a significant step in the advancement of low-altitude emergency rescue capabilities through the establishment of EHang’s national headquarters for low-altitude emergency rescue equipment. The headquarters will focus on mapping multiple application scenarios and developing a complete industrial chain, positioning Fangshan District as a central hub for the low-altitude emergency rescue industry.

The initiative aims to foster innovation in “low-altitude + emergency” ecosystems, showcasing new technologies, products, and applications. This collaboration not only strengthens Beijing’s status as a leader in aviation emergency solutions but also sets an exemplary model for global advancements in the field.

Inauguration of Beijing low-altitude safety emergency industrial park

On December 25, 2024, the Beijing Low-Altitude Safety Emergency Industrial Park was inaugurated in Fangshan District, accompanied by a comprehensive general aviation emergency rescue exercise. The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), the Ministry of Emergency Management, and other influential organizations. Distinguished guests included EHang’s leadership team, such as Huazhi Hu (Founder, Chairman, and CEO), Zhao Wang (Chief Operating Officer), and Conor Yang (Chief Financial Officer).

During the event, EHang and the Fangshan District Government signed a strategic partnership agreement, emphasizing mutual commitments to the development of emergency rescue operations and industrial ecosystems. To support this initiative, the Fangshan District Government pledged to mobilize industrial funds and provide infrastructure support.

EHang’s cutting-edge technology and its impact

EHang showcased its flagship solutions during the event, including the EH216-F (firefighting eVTOL), EH216-S (pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL), and EH216-L (logistics eVTOL). These innovations represent milestones in addressing critical challenges in emergency scenarios:

1. Firefighting with the EH216-F: This autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, capable of reaching altitudes of 600 meters, provides precise directional firefighting capabilities. It has undergone rigorous testing by the China National Fire-Fighting Equipment Quality Supervision Testing Center, proving its effectiveness in combating high-rise building fires.

2. Emergency drills: At the event, EHang’s low-altitude solutions were demonstrated in a firefighting drill, highlighting the company’s rapid response, unmanned operation, and fleet management advantages.

These demonstrations received widespread acclaim from participants, underscoring the transformative potential of EHang’s technology in real-world applications.

Building a comprehensive emergency ecosystem

The partnership includes plans to establish an Emergency Firefighting Industrial Park in Fangshan District. This facility will integrate R&D, testing, manufacturing, sales, maintenance, and training operations to support the development of the low-altitude emergency industry. Key features of the Park include:

• Innovation incubation center: Fostering the creation of next-generation solutions.

• Manufacturing base: Housing large-scale intelligent production lines.

• Smart command-and-control center: Centralizing operations for efficiency and coordination.

• Testing and training facilities: Ensuring readiness for diverse scenarios.

Additionally, the collaboration will explore various low-altitude emergency applications, such as urban firefighting, forest fire extinguishing, industrial rescue, and disaster relief. Beyond emergency scenarios, other uses like logistics, cultural tourism, and passenger transport will be developed, supported by a talent training center to cultivate expertise in operational and maintenance roles.

Aligning with national safety priorities

In September 2023, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, alongside other national agencies, issued the Action Plan for the Development of Key Areas in Safety Emergency Equipment (2023-2025). The plan emphasizes leveraging high-tech equipment to address natural disasters, urban fires, and life-saving missions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were identified as a priority, with targeted R&D and industrial chain development.

By 2025, the plan aims to establish an industrial scale exceeding RMB 1 trillion for key safety equipment, including UAVs. EHang’s partnership with Fangshan District aligns seamlessly with these objectives, contributing to the nationwide expansion of emergency capabilities.

Expert insights and future prospects

During the ceremony, prominent experts, including Yuanyuan Yang (former Director of the CAAC) and Daxiang Liu (Academician of the CAE), were appointed as consultants for the low-altitude emergency industry. They emphasized the importance of opening low-altitude airspace, accelerating airport construction, and integrating intelligent flight management systems.

Yuanyuan Yang remarked, “New civil unmanned aerial vehicles will revolutionize emergency rescue operations with improved safety, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Fangshan’s strategic position

Fangshan District offers unique advantages for low-altitude emergency development. As the southwestern gateway to Beijing, it combines favorable airspace conditions, diverse terrains, and significant demand for emergency solutions. The district has committed to becoming a manufacturing hub for intelligent emergency equipment by 2027, with goals to:

• Establish a specialized industrial park.

• Promote large-scale applications of digital, unmanned technologies.

• Pilot urban air mobility operations.

• Develop scalable, replicable application scenarios.

Industry-wide implications

Zhao Wang, COO of EHang, concluded, “The integration of the low-altitude economy and emergency industries is vital for social security and economic growth. By establishing our national headquarters in Fangshan, we aim to set global benchmarks for low-altitude emergency systems and create models for innovative urban management.”

This collaboration underscores the growing significance of UAV technology in addressing modern challenges, offering transformative solutions for emergency management, public safety, and urban development. It also highlights China’s leadership in leveraging advanced technologies for societal benefit.