Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Ehang (NASDAQ: EH) has successfully completed the world’s first flight test of a solid-state battery-powered eVTOL aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation battery technology for air mobility.
The Ehang EH216-S, which is powered by solid-state batteries, achieved an uninterrupted flight lasting 48 minutes and 10 seconds, according to a company announcement. This achievement is the first-ever autonomous manned flight of an eVTOL aircraft utilizing solid-state battery technology, Ehang said.
Solid-state batteries, which use lithium metal as the anode and oxide ceramic as the electrolyte, offer significant advantages over traditional liquid lithium batteries. These include higher energy density, improved thermal stability, lower flammability, and a wider operating temperature range. The solid-state batteries used in the EH216-S have an energy density of 480 Wh/kg and provide a 60-90% increase in endurance, making them suitable for a range of flight scenarios.
The batteries are developed by Inx Energy Technology, a Shenzhen-based startup backed by Ehang, which the company partnered with in September 2023 to jointly develop high-energy solid-state batteries for eVTOL aircraft. The partnership also includes collaboration with the battery research institute of the Advanced Technology Application and Promotion Center in Hefei, Anhui province, to further research and develop these batteries.
Ehang plans to continue testing and optimizing the performance and stability of the EH216-S, with the goal of achieving certification and mass production of solid-state batteries for the aircraft by the end of 2025. The company also intends to improve the range of the EH216-S by 25%, aiming for a flight duration of 60 minutes in the coming years.
The successful use of solid-state batteries in eVTOL aircraft is seen as a key development for the future of low-altitude electric mobility, with potential applications extending from electric vehicles (EVs) to air transportation. Ehang has delivered 263 EH216-S units to date, with 26 of these delivered in the first quarter of this year.
In addition, Ehang’s battery partner, Inx Energy, is continuing efforts to enhance the performance of its solid-state batteries, contributing to further advancements in the eVTOL sector. The development of solid-state battery technology is seen as a crucial factor in the expansion of electric aviation, with other industry players, including CATL, also exploring its potential.
