AutoFlight Completes First Two-Ton eVTOL Tea Delivery Trial in China

In a groundbreaking achievement for the aviation and logistics industries, AutoFlight has successfully accomplished China’s first-ever two-ton eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) transport trial in Guizhou, a mountainous province in western China. This milestone was reached on April 17, 2026, marking a significant advancement in autonomous cargo delivery systems.

The trial utilized AutoFlight’s CarryAll (V2000CG), a fully autonomous and unmanned eVTOL aircraft designed for transporting goods over relatively short distances. In this instance, the aircraft was tasked with delivering fresh spring tea between the cities of Anshun and Guiyang, which are located approximately 120 kilometers apart. Impressively, the unmanned aircraft completed the journey over the rugged mountainous terrain in just 37 minutes, showcasing a notable improvement over traditional land transport methods in the region, which frequently encounter delays.

Following the eVTOL air transfer, the freshly harvested tea was then further transported via high-speed train from Guiyang to Shanghai, covering nearly 2,000 kilometers. By combining eVTOL transportation with high-speed rail, the innovative logistics model enabled same-day delivery, ensuring that fresh tea picked from remote mountain plantations in western China reaches consumers in bustling eastern cities within 24 hours.

Key Advantages of AutoFlight's Autonomous eVTOL Solution

1. Autonomous Flight Capability: With no pilot on board, the eVTOL significantly enhances the safety and operational efficiency of cargo transport, allowing it to operate in challenging environments without human intervention.
2. High Speed: The aircraft's ability to traverse the 120 km mountainous route in just 37 minutes drastically reduces transit times compared to conventional road transport, which can take several hours or more.
3. Environmentally Friendly: Powered entirely by electricity, the eVTOL generates no operational emissions and produces minimal noise, aligning with sustainability goals crucial in today’s ecological landscape.
4. High Flexibility: Its vertical take-off and landing capabilities eliminate the need for runways, facilitating point-to-point delivery from various locations to consumers where they are needed most.

Details on the AutoFlight CarryAll (V2000CG)

The CarryAll (V2000CG) is noted as the world’s first eVTOL aircraft within the two-ton classification to receive type certification (TC), production certificate, and airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). As a fully autonomous and unmanned cargo aircraft, it boasts impressive specifications to meet diverse logistical challenges:

- Maximum Payload: 400 kg
- Maximum Range: Up to 200 km
- Cruising Speed: Approximately 180 km/h

Insights from Leadership

Li Yun, Chief Commercial Officer of AutoFlight, remarked, "The innovative model of autonomous eVTOL air transfer combined with a high-speed railway route addresses logistical bottlenecks in high-altitude mountainous areas. AutoFlight anticipates collaborating with more partners to extend this efficient and environmentally friendly autonomous cargo model to additional agricultural specialties, leading to quicker availability of high-quality local produce in national markets and promoting regional industrial upgrading and rural revitalization."

AutoFlight is currently pioneering various eVTOL cargo operations across real-world scenarios, including offshore oil platforms, agricultural product transportation between cities, and firefighting operations, working alongside global clients to advance the commercialization of eVTOL technology. Furthermore, the six-seat eVTOL passenger aircraft, V2000EM Prosperity, is undergoing the civilian aviation approval process by the CAAC and has successfully completed phase IV of its compliance verification.

This landmark trial not only underscores the potential of eVTOL technology in revolutionizing cargo delivery but also opens doors for further advancements in the field, ensuring that innovations in aviation continue to meet the growing demands of consumers and industries.