EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH), a global leader in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technologies, has entered into a pivotal cooperation agreement with the Weihai High-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Shandong Province, China. This partnership marks a significant step in advancing the pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry and fostering the development of a low-altitude economy in the region.

Groundbreaking partnership to advance the low-altitude economy
Under the newly signed agreement, EHang and Weihai High-Tech Zone Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment Co., Ltd. will spearhead the creation of a research, development, and manufacturing base for pilotless passenger eVTOLs. This base will serve as EHang’s production hub in Shandong Province, aiming to bolster local industry capabilities while positioning Weihai as a key player in the global eVTOL ecosystem.
As part of this collaboration, Weihai High-Tech Zone has purchased an initial batch of 30 EH216-S pilotless passenger eVTOLs, with payment for the order already completed. This investment not only demonstrates confidence in EHang’s technology but also underscores the region’s commitment to pioneering low-altitude solutions that integrate seamlessly with local economic sectors, such as cultural tourism.
Developing a comprehensive low-altitude industrial ecosystem
The agreement outlines plans to establish a low-altitude economy industrial park within Weihai High-Tech Zone. This park will integrate eVTOL technologies with cultural tourism and other regional industries, creating a synergistic ecosystem. Key initiatives include:
Scenic low-altitude tourism services: Developing comprehensive flight routes to showcase Weihai’s natural beauty, such as Weihai International Beach, Xiaoshi Island, and Torch Eight Streets. These routes will offer passengers unique sightseeing experiences that combine technology and leisure.
Integration with local businesses: Partnering with high-end hotels, commercial districts, and leisure parks to offer value-added services, such as low-altitude transportation and sightseeing packages. These collaborations will create exemplary business models for the low-altitude economy.
Operational readiness: EHang will assist the Weihai High-Tech Zone Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment Co., Ltd. with personnel training, route planning, trial flights, and infrastructure development. Preparations are also underway to secure the necessary Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for commercial operations.
Shandong’s ambitious roadmap for the low-altitude economy
In November 2024, Shandong Province unveiled its Three-Year Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy (2025–2027). The plan aims to:
Construct 400 digital takeoff-and-landing platforms.
Develop over 10 benchmark application scenarios for low-altitude operations.
Launch 50 intra-city unmanned aerial vehicle flight routes.
By 2027, Shandong’s low-altitude economy is projected to reach a scale of RMB 100 billion, with commercial flights of pilotless passenger aircraft becoming a reality. The cooperation between EHang and Weihai High-Tech Zone will play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, positioning Weihai as a global leader in the sector.
Industry implications and future prospects
EHang’s Chief Operating Officer, Zhao Wang, emphasized the widespread applicability of the EH216 series in industries such as tourism, emergency response, logistics, and firefighting. “With diverse application scenarios in Weihai, we are poised to accelerate market adoption of eco-friendly air mobility solutions. In the future, public access to pilotless eVTOL sightseeing will offer affordable and superior alternatives to traditional helicopter tours,” Wang stated.
Meanwhile, representatives from Weihai High-Tech Zone highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership in enhancing regional competitiveness. By attracting innovative projects and establishing a robust low-altitude industrial park, Weihai aims to drive sustained economic growth and solidify its position as a hub for futuristic industries.
A closer look: What is a low-altitude economy?
Low-altitude economy refers to the economic activities that utilize airspace below 1,000 meters for commercial purposes. This includes urban air mobility services, cargo transportation, emergency response, and recreational aviation. The development of this sector requires advanced technologies, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure to ensure safety and efficiency.
The collaboration between EHang and Weihai High-Tech Zone represents a transformative milestone in the evolution of the eVTOL industry and the low-altitude economy. By combining cutting-edge technology with strategic regional planning, this partnership is set to redefine urban air mobility and create new avenues for sustainable economic growth. As pilotless eVTOLs become a mainstream mode of transportation, the integration of these innovations into everyday life will pave the way for safer, greener, and more accessible urban mobility solutions.
Recent article
Drones News & Articles
The new LiDAR micro drone: A breakthrough in high-speed autonomous navigation
Air taxi News & Articles
The future of urban air mobility: Flying taxis
News & Articles Points of interest
Where is self-driving in modern aircraft ?
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Boom XB-1 flies at supersonic speed for the first time
News & Articles Points of interest
Can AI pilot a flying car better than a human?
Air taxi News & Articles
CES 2025: The first hybrid air taxi powered by battery and hydrogen
Air taxi News & Articles
Toyota and Joby Aviation’s eVTOL breakthrough and the dawn of air mobility
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Revolutionary wheel-integrated electric motor could redefine the future of transportation
Drones News & Articles
Unraveling the enigma: The 2024 New Jersey drone phenomenon
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Airbus reassesses electric air taxi development
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
The rise of Chinese eVTOL manufacturers: Who are the key players in the market ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
How close are flying car manufacturers to achieving the safety standards required for public acceptance, and what role do autonomous technologies play in this ?
Air taxi News & Articles
Navigating regulatory landscapes: Key challenges for eVTOL certification and airspace integration
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Green transport with eVTOLs: How sustainable are new aircraft ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How artificial intelligence might support the EVTOL industry: Challenges outweigh the promises
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang Launches UAM Exhibition (Experience) Center in Shenzhen’s Luohu District, Showcasing First Automated Smart eVTOL Vertiport for EH216-S
Drones News & Articles
PHASA-35: A new era in high-altitude surveillance
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang’s EH216-S pilotless eVTOL completes debut flight in downtown Shanghai, World-Class Central City is set to embrace air taxi transportation
Drones News & Articles
The Flying Ship Company’s Cutting-Edge UAV
Air taxi News & Articles
Germany’s aviation industry in turbulence: The rise and fall of air taxis
Air taxi News & Articles
Toyota’s first successful flying car test flight: a leap into the future of mobility
News & Articles Points of interest
Flying motorbike: A new frontier in personal transportation
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Overcoming bottlenecks in eVTOL production
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Data security in the Evtol industry: how to protect sensitive data ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Sustainability in eVTOL production: environmental challenges and solutions
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Analysis of Archer Aviation’s stock decline following share doubling and bylaw changes
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
The impact of technological developments on competition in the market for eVTOLs
Flying Cars News & Articles
The next era of mobility with Xpeng
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang expects to report record fourth quarter 2024 results, beating revenue guidance by 20%
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Trends in eVTOL technology
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang and China Communications Information & Technology Group partner to advance urban air mobility and empower the low-altitude economy
Drones News & Articles
Drones get a nervous system: the future of autonomous flight safety
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang partners with Weihai High-Tech Zone to co-develop an innovative pilotless eVTOL industrial ecosystem
Drones News & Articles
British spy drone could fly for a year, could replace intelligence satellites
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
EHang partners with Beijing Fangshan district government to launch national headquarters for low-altitude emergency rescue equipment
Flying Cars News & Articles
EHang Partners with Changan Automobile on Flying Cars to Create an Innovative Way for Personal Transportation
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Archer Aviation’s strategic expansion: New funding and defense collaboration
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What is SAF ?
Electric airplane News & Articles
Regulatory and safety challenges for electric aviation
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
The latest innovation from Honda: the Honda eVTOL
More articles you may be interested in...
Flying Cars News & Articles
What are the potential military and emergency response applications of flying cars ?
News & Articles Points of interest
No flying motorbikes for us anytime soon, the Xturismo manufacturer has gone bankrupt
Japanese company ALI Technologies had already started selling extreme aircraft, but strict regulations and the astronomical price of the flying engine meant that business did not go as planned. However, bankruptcy is not the end of the story: a new and much cheaper version of the flying motorcycle is in>>> READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
World’s most fuel-efficient experimental aircraft to be powered by hydrogen
The Otto Aviation Group's experimental aircraft, the Celera 500L, already consumes around 80% less fuel than a similarly sized aircraft>>> READ MORE
Flying Cars
Model Zero and Model A flying cars
Drones News & Articles
Plant breeding with drones
News & Articles Points of interest
Indian Army Looks to Deploy Soldiers with Rocket Packs for Enhanced Mobility
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
CATL’s new sodium-ion battery: A revolution in cold-weather energy storage
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion is proven
In a landmark achievement for clean aviation, Joby Aviation has demonstrated the extraordinary potential of>>> READ MORE
moreEVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Archer Aviation’s strategic expansion: New funding and defense collaboration
Electric airplane News & Articles
Óbuda University in Hungary and Magnus Aircraft jointly develop electric aircraft
In line with market needs, Óbuda University and MAGNUS Aircraft Zrt. have agreed on an innovative cooperation for the development of electric-powered aircraft suitable for touring - the university told MTI on Tuesday.
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Which countries could be leaders in the production of Evtol and Vtol aircraft in the next few years ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
What are the key aerodynamic challenges facing eVTOL designers and how do different propulsion systems affect the overall design of these aircraft ?
At the heart of eVTOL design lies a fundamental aerodynamic conundrum: how to achieve efficient>>> READ MORE
moreEVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How artificial intelligence might support the EVTOL industry: Challenges outweigh the promises
The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry has often been heralded as the future of urban transportation. Promising solutions to traffic congestion, reduced emissions, and more efficient urban air mobility, eVTOLs present a vision of an advanced technological future. However, for all the enthusiasm, the reality is much more>>> READ MORE