China - February 05, 2025 Shanghai's eVTOL scene gaining altitude (Voice_over) A growing number of eVTOL aircraft companies in Shanghai are racing to obtain the necessary certifications to give their products wings. This electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft from Volant can carry one pilot and five passengers. The company has already secured tentative orders for more than 700 of their eVTOLs. Now they just need to secure a type certificate from aviation authorities, which is a detailed and lengthy process. (Sound_bite) Huang Xiaofei, Vice President of Strategy, Volant： "Obtaining certifications is a complex process involving hundreds of testing subjects. For example, the seats must be able to withstand 16 times the force of gravity throughout the aircraft's entire lifespan.” (Voice_over) Another eVTOL developer in Shanghai, TCab Tech, is also applying for a type certificate for their first model. The company’s cofounder says China offers a well-developed environment for eVTOL aircraft manufacturing. (Sound_bite) Jiang Jun,Co-Founder, TCab Tech: "Currently, the only component we import is the motor, which comes from the French manufacturer Safran. All other parts are made in China, so the entire supply chain is essentially complete.” (Voice_over) In 2024, the Shanghai municipal government issued an action plan to support the development of over 10 leading eVTOL aircraft research and manufacturing enterprises and attract more than 100 key supporting companies by 2027. [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]