When stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the idea of cutting through the sky to reach your destination can feel like a dream. At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in the Chinese mainland, that dream was on full display: prototype flying cars from a mix of established brands and agile startups.
From sleek vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) designs boasting electric propulsion to hybrid-electric models promising longer flight ranges, these concepts push the boundaries of urban mobility. One prototype demonstrated takeoff from a rooftop pad in under 60 seconds, while another integrates self-driving technology for automated air corridors.
According to a recent report by the Global Urban Air Mobility Consortium, the UAM market is projected to grow to $15Â billion by 2030. Regulators in the Chinese mainland and other G20 nations are already drafting guidelines for safe airspace integration, aiming to launch pilot programs in select cities within five years.
"Personal aerial vehicles are rapidly shifting from science fiction to functional prototypes," says Maya Lin, a transport technology analyst. "These innovations could cut typical commute times by 50%, easing congestion and reducing ground-level emissions."
However, challenges remain: safety certifications, urban air traffic management, and public acceptance must align before rooftop vertiports become as common as parking garages. Yet the momentum is clear. With investments pouring in from venture capital and automakers alike, flying cars could lift off commercial reality in this decade.
For digital nomads and globetrotters, the horizon of travel is expanding—not just side to side, but up above the skyline.
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Check out these flying car concepts displayed at Shanghai Auto Show
cgtn.com
