On the 26th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian shared a video on an overseas social media platform, in which a flying vehicle resembling a "flying saucer" takes off vertically in Wuhan, landing precisely at a designated spot within seconds. Lin captioned the video with "Science fiction comes true." The video quickly ignited heated discussions online. The “flying saucer” shared by Lin is not a movie special effect, but the world’s first fully ducted, ton-class electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed independently by China, named the “Dianying Aircar.” The aircraft is expected to be used for cargo transport this year, and for carrying passengers in 2027.
According to CCTV and haiwainet reports, the “Dianying Aircar” was developed by Wuhan Dianying Technology Group. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.2 tons, can carry four passengers or 450 kilograms of cargo, is powered purely by electricity, and requires no runway — it can take off and land in an area the size of just four parking spaces. It achieves zero emissions and low-noise operation. Since its maiden flight in July 2025, it has completed over 130 test flights. It can take off in 3 seconds, and after about 2 hours of charging, has a range of 150 kilometers. Its design speed can reach up to 80 kilometers per hour, with a single flight time of over 20 minutes.
This aircraft has drawn wide attention mainly because it overcomes technical bottlenecks faced by current eVTOLs. Most mainstream eVTOLs globally utilize multi-rotor, tilt-rotor, or compound wing designs, which generally suffer from issues such as high noise, exposed rotors, and poor adaptability in urban environments. However, the “Dianying Aircar” encloses eight power rotors completely within a ducted structure inside the body—forming "invisible wings." This can effectively prevent rotor collisions with people or buildings, reduce noise, and allows for safe close proximity to buildings or operation in narrow urban streets. Not only can it carry people, but it can also perform heavy-duty logistics transport and emergency rescue missions.
Cai Xiaodong, chairman of Dianying Technology, stated that the “Dianying Aircar” is planned for initial use in logistics transport and aerial rescue. In 2026, a two-seat version will be launched, primarily for logistics and tourism scenarios. By 2027, its use will be expanded to passenger commuting, with a target price kept below 2 million RMB (1.1339 million MYR), and a "logistics service provider" sharing mode will be launched at the same time, similar to an "airborne Didi."