AutoFlight Successfully Conducts First 2-Ton Class eVTOL Tea Delivery in China
Kunshan, China, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) - AUTOFLIGHT has successfully completed the first trial of delivering spring tea using a 2-ton class eVTOL aircraft in Guizhou Province, a mountainous region in western China.
In the trial, AutoFlight operated the CarryAll (V2000CG)—a fully autonomous unmanned eVTOL aircraft—to transport fresh tea from Anshun to Guiyang, two cities in Guizhou approximately 120 km apart. This unmanned flight crossed rugged mountainous terrain in just 37 minutes, far faster than ground transportation routes in the area.
After aerial transport via eVTOL, the fresh tea was then shipped by high-speed train from Guiyang to Shanghai, a distance of nearly 2,000 km. With the integrated “eVTOL + high-speed rail” logistics model, the delivery occurred on the same day, allowing tea freshly picked from plantations in the western mountains to reach consumers in major cities in eastern China in less than 24 hours.
Key Advantages of Autonomous eVTOL Solutions
Autonomous flight capability: Without a pilot on board, it enhances operational safety and efficiency for cargo delivery
High speed: Covering 120 km in mountainous areas in 37 minutes, reducing travel time by hours compared to ground transport
Environmentally friendly: Fully electric-powered, emission-free operations and low noise levels, aligning with sustainable development goals
High flexibility: Capable of vertical take-off and landing without requiring a runway, supporting direct point-to-point deliveries.
About AutoFlight CarryAll (V2000CG)
The CarryAll (V2000CG) is the world’s first 2-ton class eVTOL aircraft to obtain a Type Certificate (TC), Production Certificate (PC), and Airworthiness Certificate (AC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). As a fully autonomous unmanned cargo aircraft, the CarryAll (V2000CG) offers superior performance for various logistics needs:
Maximum payload capacity: 400 kg
Maximum range: up to 200 km
Cruise speed: approximately 180 km/h
Executive Statement
Li Yun, CCO, AutoFlight
“The innovative ‘autonomous eVTOL air delivery + mainline high-speed rail’ model overcomes logistical barriers in mountainous regions. AutoFlight will continue to collaborate with various partners to expand the application of efficient and eco-friendly autonomous cargo logistics models to more agricultural production centres. In this way, high-quality local agricultural commodities can reach national markets more quickly, thereby promoting regional industrial upgrades and rural revitalisation.”
AutoFlight’s eVTOL cargo models have been applied in various real-world scenarios, including operations at offshore oil platforms, inter-city agricultural product transportation, and emergency handling during forest fire disasters. AutoFlight is also collaborating with global customers to accelerate the commercialisation of eVTOL technology. Additionally, the six-seater passenger eVTOL model, V2000EM Prosperity, is currently undergoing airworthiness certification by the CAAC and has entered Phase IV compliance verification.