Historic Debut: Deepal eVTOL, Nepal’s First Flying Car, Presented at NADA 2025

Imagine walking into an auto show expecting new cars, and coming face to face with a flying vehicle. That’s exactly what happened at the NADA Auto Show 2025 in Kathmandu. Amid the electric SUVs, hybrid sedans, and futuristic bikes, one machine didn’t just roll in, it was designed to take off.

MAW Vriddhi Autocorp, the authorized distributor of Deepal, made history by unveiling Nepal’s first flying car, the Deepal eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. It wasn’t just a product showcase. It was a moment that marked Nepal’s official entry into the global race toward urban air mobility.

And yes, it turned heads. With its sleek frame and propeller arms spread like wings, Deepal’s flying taxi quickly became the most photographed and talked-about innovation at the expo.

Design: Not Just a Car, Not Just an Aircraft

The Deepal eVTOL doesn’t look like anything that’s been seen on Nepali roads, or skies, before. It straddles the line between an aircraft and a futuristic pod, featuring a compact cabin likely designed for two to four passengers.

Its design language leans into simplicity and safety, while remaining futuristic and visually commanding. With large multi-rotor blades mounted above and around the cockpit, it’s built more like a small autonomous helicopter than a traditional car.

But what’s most striking isn’t the aesthetic, it’s the functionality. Every part of this aircraft appears focused on one goal: effortless vertical take-off, stable flight, and seamless landing in tight urban spaces.

Technology & Development: Powered by Global Giants

This isn’t a solo innovation from Nepal. Behind Deepal’s eVTOL is a powerful collaboration between two major players: Changan Automobile, one of China’s leading carmakers, and EHang, a pioneer in autonomous aerial vehicles.

The partnership was formalized in late 2024 and is aimed at co-developing next-generation mobility platforms, including flying taxis, amphibious air-land vehicles, and autonomous aircraft.

Changan brings to the table its robust R&D capacity, supply chain strength, and experience in scaling electric vehicle platforms. On the other hand, EHang brings its reputation as the creator of the world’s first autonomous passenger eVTOL aircraft, including the certified EH216-S model, which has already performed thousands of test flights globally.

Together, they’ve created a vehicle that doesn’t just represent technological ambition, it reflects commercial readiness.

Performance and Capabilities: What Can It Actually Do?

Although full performance figures were not released during the NADA showcase, Deepal’s eVTOL is expected to mirror the specs of existing models developed by EHang. Based on those, here’s what you can expect:

• Takeoff and Landing: Vertical lift via electric rotors, no runway required.

• Flight Range: Likely around 30–35 km on a single charge, suitable for intra-city routes.

• Speed: Speeds of up to 130 km/h in controlled airspace.

• Autonomous Navigation: Most EHang eVTOLs operate autonomously, with pre-programmed routes and real-time obstacle avoidance.

More than performance, what makes Deepal’s eVTOL compelling is its purpose, this is not meant to be a toy for the ultra-rich. The long-term ambition is mass adoption.

Features: Designed for the Urban Sky

The Deepal eVTOL isn’t about raw power or luxury interiors, it’s built with safety, accessibility, and practicality in mind. Here are some likely features based on the global eVTOL standard and the Deepal-EHang partnership:

• Electric Propulsion System: Quiet, efficient, and emissions-free.

• Multiple Redundant Rotors: If one fails, others continue operating, enhancing flight safety.

• Advanced Battery Management: Likely optimized for fast charging and high energy density.

• Navigation and AI Systems: Autonomous flight software, geofencing, and 3D path mapping.

• Lightweight Composite Body: High strength-to-weight ratio for better performance and energy efficiency.

• Emergency Landing Systems: Safety parachutes or rapid descent technology in case of malfunction.

It’s also reasonable to assume the aircraft is being tested for integration into smart city ecosystems, meaning it could one day work with real-time air traffic management software, mobile hailing apps, and infrastructure like rooftop landing pads.

Specifications: What We Know So Far

While MAW Vriddhi Autocorp has not disclosed a full technical sheet yet, based on current EHang models and the Deepal display, a reasonable estimation of specifications would include:

• Vehicle Type: Electric VTOL aircraft

• Passenger Capacity: 1–2 (initial versions)

• Maximum Speed: ~130 km/h

• Flight Range: ~30–35 km

• Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium battery

• Flight Control: Autonomous with manual override

• Noise Level: Significantly lower than helicopters

These specs position the Deepal eVTOL more as an air taxi for short urban hops rather than long-distance commuting.

What This Means for Nepal

For a country like Nepal, where mountainous terrain, traffic congestion, and rural inaccessibility are everyday realities, the concept of flying vehicles offers more than novelty. It offers a leap over infrastructure limitations.

This debut, while still symbolic in 2025, is a signal. Nepal is ready to engage with the same urban mobility solutions being explored in tech-forward cities like Dubai, Seoul, and Singapore.

The Bigger Picture: Global Trends Meet Local Innovation

Globally, eVTOLs are gaining traction. Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer, and Volocopter are testing aircraft in the U.S., Germany, and UAE. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is already in early talks about setting international standards.

By joining this race, even symbolically, Nepal positions itself as a forward-thinking player in South Asia’s tech mobility space. And the Deepal eVTOL isn’t just a showpiece. It’s a conversation starter, a vision of what Nepal’s future could look like, lighter traffic, better air, quicker medical evacuation, and even tourism by air.

Final Thoughts

The Deepal eVTOL’s unveiling at NADA 2025 may go down as a historical footnote, or it may become the first chapter in a new era of transport for Nepal. Either way, it’s a bold move.

While challenges remain, from airspace regulation to affordability, the symbolic value is undeniable. Nepal has stepped onto the global platform of next-gen mobility.

And for now, the Deepal eVTOL has earned its place not just in the headlines, but in the imagination of a country ready to rise above its roads, and into the skies.