In a major leap for drone logistics, EHang has successfully flown its VT20 drone on an intercity cargo route between Guangzhou and Zhuhai — two key cities in southern China’s bustling Greater Bay Area. The company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft carried out a round trip covering over 103 miles, transporting fresh seafood and medical samples without a pilot onboard.
The drone, operated by EHang’s joint venture Wanyi Tianxia, completed the 51.5-mile one-way trip in just 55 minutes — saving up to 40 minutes compared to traditional road transport. During rush hour, the time saved could stretch to over an hour. The drone took off from Tangjiagang Port in Zhuhai, delivered seafood across Zhuhai and Zhongshan, and landed at Suigang Port in Guangzhou. On its return, it carried medical test samples, showing the drone’s versatility for both perishable and time-sensitive deliveries.
This real-world mission wasn’t just a flashy demo — it’s part of a broader effort in China to build a low-altitude logistics infrastructure. It’s a big win for the low-altitude economy, a term used in China to describe the growing use of drones and other aerial vehicles for commercial and civic tasks.
The successful mission was showcased at the 2025 Wanshan Archipelago Low-Altitude Integrated Application Conference this week. The VT20 has already been operating regularly in island regions like the Wanshan Archipelago for over a year. It previously slashed freight times between Tangjiagang Port and Guishan Island by 80%. These test flights are gradually forming a stable logistics network — one that could eventually support full-time, city-to-city drone deliveries.
All this is part of the so-called “Tangjiagang Port Model,” a new template for integrating drone operations into real-world supply chains. The aim is to connect islands and cities via aerial logistics, paving the way for a drone-powered “Air Postal Network” across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region.
Officials see this not just as a technological achievement but as an economic catalyst. Juan Li, director of the Wanshan District Administrative Committee, calls the low-altitude economy a “strategic focal point” for future industrial growth. From marine ranching to aerial tourism, Li says the region is embracing drones to transform both work and leisure in coastal and island communities.
EHang, meanwhile, is positioning itself as more than a drone maker. “We’re not just building aircraft,” says Wei Liu, a senior director at the company. “We’re creating operational frameworks and standards for smart logistics, aerial mobility, and even emergency response.”
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