Back to the future: ‘Flying car’ goes on display in Melbourne

Melburnians can get a glimpse of the future as an electric “flying car” goes on display, while experts claim flying taxis could be a reality within a decade.

The future has landed in Melbourne with an electric “flying car” on public display in the southern hemisphere for the first time this weekend.

The X2 from Chinese smart electric vehicle (EV) company XPeng, which also makes more contemporary ground-based EVs such as the upcoming G6 SUV, is still a prototype but another of their flying vehicles is slated for commercial production in China as early as 2025.

“We’re so honoured to have the first flying car in Australia which will be showcased at the Electric SUV Expo on the weekend,” Ray Evans, chief executive of exhibition hosts Future Drive AutoShows said.

Ray Evans CEO of Future Drive Autoshows sits in the XPeng X2 dreaming of a day soon like the Jetsons. Picture: David Caird

But Melburnians flying their own cars over the city Jetsons-style may be the stuff of science-fiction for a while yet due to ongoing regulatory issues, costs and short flight times – around 35 minutes – in early models.

However, airborne electric taxis could be a reality within a decade, with drone food deliveries already here.

“We commissioned an analysis of both the drone and air taxi market over the next 20 years, and that analysis indicated that we’ll certainly see strong growth in the drone market and the air taxi market,” Airservices Australia Head of Transformation Uncrewed Services Luke Gumley said.

The most likely first use for the vehicles is for an “A to B”-style service along predefined routes, with the vehicles driven autonomously by a drone pilot based on the ground.

A provisional agreement is in place fot American company Whisk to provide flying taxis for the 2032 Olympics.

The vehicle, which will seat two people and be piloted remotely, has a futuristic interior. Picture: David Caird

Aviation authorities see the Games as a possible “catalyst” for more widespread adoption across the nation, with 1 million annual passenger trips forecast by Airservices Australia by 2043.

“We think we’ll start to see the introduction of air taxis in advance of the Olympics, but perhaps not at scale,” Mr Gumley said.

“The (initial) introduction and then the Olympics being that kind of catalyst (will) then really give an uptick both to air taxis and drone operation.”

Beyond re-imagining urban transit, the vehicles could transform the transport of medical supplies in remote areas, law enforcement capabilities and short haul freight, to name a few.

“It doesn’t take much imagination to think of the multiple uses that it could have,” Mr Evans said.

“I think we’ve only just begun.”

The Electric SUV Expo will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from August 9-11.

For more information, visit www.futuredriveauto.au.

The Herald Sun has 35 pairs of tickets for the Electric SUV Expo to offer to digital subscribers.

Redemption instructions

1. Visit: https://futuredriveauto.au/melb/suv/comp-tickets/

2. Choose the day you want to attend

3. Set the quantity of the ‘One day pass’ to ‘2’, enter promotional codeHSUN, and click ‘continue’

4. Fill in your details and click on the ‘continue’ button.

5. Tickets will be sent directly via email before the event, with a unique QR code for entry.

Offer opens 6pm Tuesday, August 6, 2024 and closes 11.59pm, Friday August 9, or while stocks last. Limited to one redemption of two tickets per eligible News Corp Australia Metro or Regional Masthead subscriber. Limited to the first 35. Residents of Australia only. Must be redeemed online at https://futuredriveauto.au/melb/suv/comp-tickets/. There are 35 double pass General Admission day tickets to be redeemed. Total prize pool valued at $2800. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. Lost or stolen tickets are not replaceable. The promoter is Nationwide News Pty Ltd ABN: 98 008 438 828. Future Drive AutoShows ticket and entry terms and conditions apply: https://www.futuredriveauto.au/melb/suv/comp-tickets. By redeeming this offer you agree to Future Drive AutoShows contacting you send you with marketing communications, see Future Drive AutoShows Privacy Policy: https://www.futuredriveauto.au/privacy-policy

Originally published as Back to the future: ‘Flying car’ goes on display in Melbourne