XPeng will flex their Land Aircraft Carrier at CES 2025
The de facto pioneer in flying cars has already created a name for themselves overseas and is now looking to show the US what they're capable of
It looks like XPeng and their flying cars will make their first debut on US soil sooner than expected. The Chinese company announced that it would be attending CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas from January 7th to 10th to show off its Land Aircraft Carrier (LAC). They did disclose that they have no plans to launch the LAC in the US, but we'll just have to see.
Related: XPeng X2 takes flight in Australia
The range and specs are quite impressive for both vehicles
Unlike their standalone XPeng X2 flying car, the LAC consists of a three-axle carrier van with a range extender and a two-seater deployable flying car inside. The van, or the Mothership, as XPeng calls it, uses an electric range extender like the one that will power the upcoming Ram 1500, and has a reported range of 1000 km (~621.37 mi).
The flying car within is a six-rotor, dual-duct design VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) with foldable blades and arms. It can be released from the back of the carrier at the push of a button and can handle 5-6 flights on a single charge. XPeng
On its website, XPeng touts the numerous redundancy systems meant to keep the VTOL in flight in case of system failure as well as its automatic takeoff with route planning and autonomous navigation. Oh and don't worry, it has AC too.
The Mothership can charge the VTOL from 30% to 80% in 18 minutes at a maximum rate of 800V. The first public test flight took place at the Zhuhai Airshow this past November with great results. XPeng
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Sales of the XPeng LAC will supposedly start in the next few years
XPeng plans to start sales of the LAC in 2026 with a reported capacity of 10,000 units per year. With a cost of up to 2 million yuan (280,000 USD), a groundbreaking invention like this is by no means affordable. Still, the company has reportedly already received thousands of orders from enterprises.
Final thoughts
I'm already pessimistic about Elon Musk's autonomous Cybercab, let alone a whole flying car. Our infrastructure is barely getting ready for all of the EVs on our roads. It also doesn't help that XPeng is a Chinese company and would be hit hard by Trump's supposed tariffs and our growing vitriol towards their state-subsidized automotive industry. XPeng
Even so, can you imagine the convenience that a small VTOL vehicle would bring to our everyday lives? Need to head to the grocery store around town but don't want to take the freeway? Take your VTOL.
Do you work downtown but live on the outskirts of town? Avoid the morning commute traffic by taking your VTOL. It would make Los Angeles a livable place for once.
