TCab Tech’s E20

The E20 represents TCab Tech’s vision for the future of urban and regional air mobility. As China’s first tilt-rotor eVTOL developer, TCab Tech has engineered the E20 to combine the vertical lift advantages of helicopters with the speed and efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft. The E20’s airframe features a high wing for easy passenger access, a tricycle fixed landing gear, and a carbon fiber composite fuselage for strength and light weight. Panoramic wraparound windows provide exceptional visibility, enhancing the passenger experience.

Propulsion is provided by six electric motors driving six propellers-four of which tilt for both vertical and horizontal flight, while the remaining two are fixed for lift during takeoff and landing and lock in cruise to reduce drag. This distributed electric propulsion (DEP) architecture ensures redundancy: even if one or more motors fail, the aircraft can still land safely. The E20’s battery system is integrated into the wings using a unique Cell-to-Wing (CTW) design, improving structural efficiency and safety while reducing weight45.

Safety is central to the E20’s design. The flight control and propulsion systems are built with no single point of failure. In the unlikely event of a total propeller failure, the E20 can glide and land like a conventional airplane. The aircraft also benefits from low-noise, energy-efficient propellers and a high-voltage 800V charging system, enabling rapid turnaround between flights.

TCab Tech’s business model initially targets the tourism sector, leveraging the E20’s range and speed for sightseeing and regional routes. As the market matures, the company anticipates expanding into urban air taxi operations, offering fast, affordable, and zero-emission transportation for city dwellers. The E20 is expected to cost around seven million yuan (approximately $960,900 USD), making it competitive in the global eVTOL market13.

The company’s long-term roadmap includes larger variants (6-, 8-, 10-, and 20-seaters) and international sales, with early trial routes planned for major Chinese cities and the Middle East. TCab Tech’s partnerships with global suppliers like Safran for electric motors and its ongoing investment in vertiport infrastructure underscore its commitment to safe, reliable, and scalable urban air mobility568.

Aircraft Development Progress

• 2021: Company founded; sub-scale prototypes completed transition flights; full-scale mock-up and vertiport concepts unveiled16.

• 2022: Partnership with Safran for electric propulsion; further sub-scale flight testing6.

• 2023: Full-scale prototype completed, special flight permit and registration from CAAC; successful hover, transition, and cruise flight tests; over 200 provisional orders received156.

• 2024: Series A and B+ funding rounds raised over $40 million; G1 Issue Paper (certification basis) completed with CAAC, accelerating certification process479.

• 2025: B+ round brings total funding to about $100 million; focus on commercialization, industrialization, and regional route development47.

• Future: Aircraft sales expected to begin in 2026, with international expansion by 2027-2028 and widespread air taxi operations by 20351.

Main Competitors

• EHang EH216 (China): Autonomous, multicopter eVTOL for urban air mobility.

• Volocopter VoloCity (Germany): Multicopter eVTOL focused on urban air taxi services.

• Joby Aviation S4 (USA): Tilt-rotor eVTOL with longer range and higher passenger capacity.

• Vertical Aerospace VX4 (UK): Fixed-wing eVTOL with tilt-rotor propulsion for regional air mobility.

Comparative Table

Detailed Specifications