World’s First Pilotless Passenger Aircraft with Solid State Battery Completes 48 Minute Flight Test

Chinese urban air transportation company EHang has achieved a first with this aerial electric aircraft equipped with a solid-state battery.

This flight, certified by the Guangzhou Notary Office, was the first electric aircraft to complete a flight test with a solid-state battery and carry passengers “without a pilot”.

The solid-state lithium battery uses “metallic lithium” as the anode and “oxide ceramic” as the electrolyte. This provides a significant improvement in energy density and safety.

The solid-state lithium battery is capable of operating at temperatures between -40 °C and +150 °C, with an energy density of 480Wh/kg and exceptional stability, taking this vehicle’s flight performance to the next level.

It can be used in many different conditions such as low-altitude-short-distance emergency transportation, air logistics, firefighting in high-rise buildings, etc.

Note: This aircraft is not actually an airplane or helicopter. This type of aircraft is called eVTOL. It stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft.

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