At the Chery Global Innovation Conference in Anhui, China, Chery Automobile revealed a prototype flying car named the “Land and Air Vehicle.” This vehicle, which lacks a traditional steering wheel or accelerator, boasts full autonomous driving capabilities and has already completed a successful 50-mile test flight.
The futuristic “Land and Air Vehicle” design includes a three-body hybrid-wing structure, combining the aircraft, intelligent cockpit, and intelligent chassis. It can seamlessly transition between autonomous driving and flying modes, making it ideal for urban commuting and reducing traffic congestion. The vehicle is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, further enhancing its versatility for short-distance flights.
Chery’s prototype aligns with China’s increasing focus on flying cars, although most projects remain in the conceptual phase. Few have reached the level of testing seen with Chery’s flying car, making this a notable achievement in the quest to bring such vehicles into practical use.
In addition to the flying car, Chery announced the rollout of its advanced all-solid-state battery technology under the new brand, Kunpeng. This battery series offers three options: square lithium iron phosphate, square ternary, and large cylindrical ternary batteries, all designed to power New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).
The Kunpeng batteries support high-speed charging (2C-6C) and boast an impressive energy density, with expectations to reach 400 Wh/kg by the end of this year and up to 600 Wh/kg by 2025. Chery expects the first application of these batteries in cars by 2026, with batch production beginning in 2027, offering EVs an extended range of up to 1,500 km.
The square ternary batteries, capable of providing EVs with a range of 600-800 km, are also suitable for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). These batteries are designed to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 65°C, enabling robust performance in various conditions.
The Kunpeng battery series has been designed for longevity, is capable of over 3,000 charging cycles, and incorporates multi-section energy-absorbing technology to ensure rapid pressure relief during high-stress events. The battery cells have also been shown to remain operational even with minor physical damage.
