Representatives of Autocraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) maker Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. sign a memorandum of understanding in Shanghai, east China, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Gong Wen)
SHANGHAI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Autocraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) maker Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. here on Wednesday on purchasing 350 E20 eVTOL aircraft worth 1 billion U.S. dollars.
This marks China's largest single intent order for eVTOLs to date, underscoring the growing momentum of China's low-altitude economy, a sector highlighted in the central government work report each year since 2024 and projected by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to reach a 1.5 trillion yuan (about 209.7 billion U.S. dollars) domestic market by 2025, with potential growth up to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
The deal marks a significant step for TCab Tech, a startup founded in 2021, as it positions its E20 eVTOL aircraft for diversified commercial applications, including low-altitude tourism and urban air mobility, across the Middle East and North Africa.
TCab Tech founder and CEO Yon Wui NG, also former chief engineer of Airbus China, outlined a phased deployment plan for the 350 E20 eVTOL aircraft: The initial use in Abu Dhabi, followed by connections to surrounding cities, and ultimately expansion across the wider region. He emphasized the company's cost advantage, attributing it to China's mature aviation and battery-electric propulsion supply chains.
Stemming from a partnership formed at last year's China International Import Expo, this strategic collaboration combines TCab Tech's expertise in eVTOL development and manufacturing with Autocraft's local strengths in operations and market access in the UAE. NG expressed confidence that low-altitude mobility represents "a new growth point in China-UAE economic ties," citing its trillion-yuan potential.
The E20, TCab Tech's self-developed flagship model, is a five-seat tilt-rotor eVTOL with a 12-meter wingspan, a designed range of 200 kilometers, and a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour. Developed for intercity and urban use cases like tourism, commuting and patrol, the aircraft accommodates one pilot and four passengers.
Autocraft cited TCab Tech's technology maturity and safety focus as key reasons for the partnership, which TCab Tech called a "key breakthrough" for its overseas expansion.
"The global market is casting a strong vote of confidence in China's indigenous aviation technology," said NG. The Shanghai-based eVTOL pioneer specializes in tilt-rotor passenger aircraft, with overseas subsidiaries in Singapore and Malaysia.
Lu Peibin, president of the Shanghai General Aviation Industry Association, hailed the deal as "a major industry event reflecting China's low-altitude progress," while noting the challenging path of tilt-rotor development and the critical need to navigate upcoming airworthiness certification and commercialization hurdles for long-term success.
TCab Tech's technical team and representatives from the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority held technical discussions during the MoU signing ceremony to explore pathways for airworthiness certification, as well as operational regulations and regulatory coordination mechanisms for the E20 eVTOL.
Autocraft has been continually seeking international partners with forward-looking technology and strong delivery capabilities, according to Tareq Alahmed, vice president of the Abu Dhabi-headquartered company, which is a subsidiary of UAE's leading tech company Kintsugi and a pioneer in future air mobility.
A representative of Autocraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) learns about the E20 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the exhibition hall of the Chinese eVTOL maker Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, east China, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Qing)
The first batch of orders is scheduled for delivery after the airworthiness certificate is obtained from the CAAC. This regulatory step aligns with China's broader push, evidenced by the latest draft revision to the Civil Aviation Law that specifies provisions to advance the development of the low-altitude economy.
Industry experts said that China's low-altitude economy is experiencing an unprecedented period of development opportunities, featuring rapid advancements in aircraft manufacturing, flight services and diverse application scenarios, alongside a strengthening industrial chain and accelerating innovation.
"With continuous policy refinement and technological breakthroughs, China's low-altitude economy will continue to expand and inject significant momentum into economic growth," said Wang Huizheng, deputy head of the low-altitude economy branch of the China Information Industry Association.
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