Forget Traffic, Fly Over It. Apparently, It’s That Simple
For decades, “flying cars” have been the poster child of the future. While the rest of the world was busy building electric crossovers and arguing about charging speeds, one company in China decided actually to do it.
Meet Aridge, formerly known as XPeng AeroHT, and their jaw-dropping creation: the Land Aircraft Carrier — a six-wheeled electric truck that carries and launches a personal two-seat flying drone. Yes, you read that correctly.
Introduction
Aridge has officially stepped out from under the XPeng umbrella with a name that blends “Air” and “Bridge” — a not-so-subtle hint that they plan to bridge the gap between the ground and the sky. And to prove it, they flew to Dubai (of course) to show off their futuristic hybrid of a flying EV and personal aircraft.
Dubbed the Land Aircraft Carrier, it’s part off-road beast, part airborne escape pod — and 100% insane in the best possible way.
Key Facts & Specifications
| Parameter | Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Aridge (formerly XPeng AeroHT) |
| Vehicle Type | Modular electric 6×6 truck + detachable eVTOL drone |
| Seats | 4 (truck) + 2 (flying module) |
| Ground Range | 1,000 km (≈620 miles) |
| Flight Range (per module) | ≈30–40 km per flight (5–6 flights per charge cycle) |
| Powertrain | Range-extended electric + drone battery system |
| Drive System | 6×6 all-wheel drive |
| Top Speed (aircraft) | Undisclosed |
| Price | ≈$280,000 (truck + aircraft package) |
| Orders | 7,000+ global preorders |
| Production Start | 2026 (China) |
| First Deliveries | 2027 (Middle East) |
Design and Concept
The Land Aircraft Carrier looks like something you’d deploy to explore Mars. It’s an 18-foot-long, six-wheeled electric truck that acts as a mothership for a detachable two-seat flying drone. The back of the truck opens up like a sci-fi cargo bay, releasing the drone, which lifts off vertically — no runway required.
Aridge says the truck’s hybrid powertrain can recharge and refuel the drone for up to five or six flights per cycle. So, when ground-level traffic becomes unbearable, you simply pull over, hop in the flying pod, and ascend above the chaos.
It’s equal parts mad genius and toy for billionaires, but undeniably one of the most ambitious personal transport concepts ever to exist.
Technology and Features
The system operates as a modular ecosystem:
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Ground vehicle – a high-range, 6×6 electric truck designed for long-distance ground mobility and drone charging.
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Aerial module – a two-seat eVTOL drone, fully electric, with autonomous assist and simplified controls.
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Quick training – Aridge claims new pilots can learn to fly it in about five minutes. That’s less than the time it takes to master a modern TV remote.
Both modules communicate with each other via Aridge’s smart platform for navigation, flight status, and power management.
Mass Production and Global Orders
At its Dubai demonstration, Aridge announced contracts for 600 units with local buyers, bringing its global order total to 7,000.
To meet this demand, the company has finished a smart manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, capable of producing 10,000 vehicles per year — roughly one every 30 minutes at full capacity. Production will start in 2026, with deliveries beginning in the Middle East by 2027.
The Next Chapter: Aridge A868
As if the Land Aircraft Carrier wasn’t wild enough, Aridge also teased its A868, a long-range flying car designed for true intercity travel.
The A868 aims for 310+ miles of range and a top speed exceeding 224 mph — fast enough to make a one-hour flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas a reality. A full reveal is expected in November, and it looks far sleeker and more aircraft-like than the modular truck-drone combo.
Conclusion
A Chinese company just built a six-wheeled EV that carries a personal aircraft, and they’re already preparing to mass-produce it. The Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier might sound like something from a comic book, but the factory exists, the orders are real, and the flying module actually works.
Sure, there’s a mountain of regulation and airspace red tape ahead. But for now, it’s impossible not to admire the sheer audacity of this project. The future of mobility might arrive sooner — and with a lot more propellers — than any of us expected.
Time to make some room in the garage… and maybe the sky above it.
FAQ
When will the Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier go into production?
Mass production begins in 2026, with first deliveries expected in 2027.
How much will the Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier cost?
The complete package — truck and drone — is priced at around $280,000 USD.
How far can it travel?
The truck offers 620 miles of ground range, while the drone can handle short urban flights of up to about 30–40 km each.
Who has ordered it?
Aridge has secured 7,000+ global orders, including 600 units in Dubai.