EHang Taps Gotion’s Lithium Batteries to Boost Air Taxi Range

Chinese electric aviation company EHang has partnered with battery giant Gotion High-Tech to power its EH216 series of pilotless air taxis, marking a significant step toward enhancing the commercial readiness of its autonomous flying vehicles.

Next-Gen Battery Tech for Urban Air Mobility

EHang, listed on Nasdaq and a leading player in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) space, will equip its EH216 air taxi with Gotion’s high-performance 46-series cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.

The new battery packs, named for their 46mm diameter, are comparable to Tesla’s advanced 4680 cells in structure and capacity. Gotion’s batteries boast an energy density of 310 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), offering a promising leap in flight range and endurance for electric air taxis.

The move aligns with EHang’s plans to scale up its EH216-S model for commercial operations. The company aims to extend the range and performance of its autonomous aerial vehicles as it readies for mass deployment in logistics, air mobility, and smart city solutions.

Gotion’s Strategic Leap into the Low-Altitude Economy

Based in Hefei, with global production facilities in the US and Europe, Gotion first unveiled its 46-series battery at the 2022 Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Las Vegas. Volkswagen, which holds the largest stake in Gotion, has helped the company position itself as a major supplier in both the automotive and emerging aviation sectors.

Speaking on the partnership, Changqing Yan, COO of Gotion’s Asia-Pacific Business Division, said, “Gotion is committed to advancing transportation electrification through cutting-edge battery technology. The low-altitude economy is a rapidly emerging frontier, and EHang’s achievements in the eVTOL sector are widely recognised. This partnership lays the groundwork for next-gen air mobility solutions.”

EHang’s Flight Toward Commercial Air Taxi Operations

EHang is currently one of the few companies globally to achieve full regulatory certification for its pilotless eVTOL aircraft. Its flagship model, the EH216-S, has received the world’s first type certificate, production certificate, and standard airworthiness certificate for an autonomous eVTOL from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

In a landmark development, EHang operators in China have also secured the first batch of Air Operator Certificates for passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL services. This clears the way for the EH216-S to begin mass-scale commercial flights in 2025, targeting public air mobility and smart logistics.