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EHang Partners with KC Smart Mobility to Advance EH216-S Pilotless eVTOL Sale and Operation

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#verticaltakeoff #aircraft #aviation #electricaircraft
Published
07/29/2024 by

EHang Holdings Limited ("EHang" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: EH), the world's leading urban air mobility ("UAM") technology platform company, announced the signing of a purchase and operation cooperation agreement with KC Smart Mobility Company Limited ("KC Smart Mobility"), a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited ("KCBH")  (0306.HK), the largest non-franchised bus operator in Hong Kong. This partnership aims to promote the deployment and operation of EHang's EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing ("eVTOL") in Hong Kong, Macau, and the cities of Xiangyang and Shiyan in Hubei Province in China. According to the cooperation agreement, KC Smart Mobility plans to purchase a total of 30 units of EH216-S from EHang.

KCBH is one of Hong Kong's largest transportation companies, providing passenger transport services between mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as local transport services within Hong Kong. It has also expanded its business into the tourism sites such as Lantau Island in Hong Kong and Bipenggou Tourism Resort in Sichuan Province. KC Smart Mobility, a KCBH's subsidiary dedicated to innovative travel solutions, plans to contribute to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's upcoming blueprint for low-altitude economy development and the formulation of related laws and regulations. EHang and KC Smart Mobility will make joint efforts to kick off the EH216-S flight event in Hong Kong, setting a benchmark for UAM operation with pilotless eVTOL in Hong Kong.

Recently, Hong Kong is actively aligning itself with the national strategy of low-altitude economy. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stated in the Legislative Council that the government is committed to fostering new productive forces by leveraging Hong Kong's robust research capabilities and international advantages to spur innovation, including in the low-altitude economy industry. Professor Sun Dong, Secretary of Innovation, Technology, and Industry Bureau of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, highlighted that Hong Kong has a solid technology foundation for eVTOLs. Furthermore, the government will pay close attention to the advancements and developments in the eVTOL space, and tailor plans and strategies in accordance with Hong Kong's unique conditions, legal frameworks, market needs, and commercial considerations of potential service operators for projects enhancing tourist experiences.

Mr. Cheng King Hoi, Andrew, MH, Mainland China Business Director at KCBH, remarked: "KCBH has always been dedicated to providing exceptional travel services. Our partnership with EHang marks a new era by extending our passenger transport services from the ground to the sky. We look forward to the EH216-S playing a significant role in aerial sightseeing and air mobility, as well as other use cases in Hong Kong and Macau, and we will prepare for EH216-S commercialization with the highest safety standards that ensured for our air mobility services."

Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, stated: "We are thrilled to join hands with KCBH  in our ongoing efforts to advance UAM commercial operations. With KCBH's long history and extensive customer base in the transportation sector, we believe our collaboration will effectively promote the deployment and operation of EH216-S aircraft in Hong Kong and Macau. This partnership will inject new vitality into local tourism and air mobility market to drive innovation and development in the low-altitude economy sector."

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