The crazy XPeng Land Aircraft Carrier is coming to Australia, and you should eventually be able to buy one – for about $450,000.
The first example of the ‘LAC’ is expected in Australia by September and will be based at Mascot airport, just a short vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) from local XPeng distributor TrueEV’s flagship Sydney showroom.
Built by XPeng subsidiary XPeng AeroHT, the Land Aircraft Carrier comprises a two-seat battery electric eVTOL aircraft that is folded up and carried around inside a 6x6 all-wheel drive mothership between flights.
The mothership’s 800V range extender powertrain also recharges the eVTOL when docked.
The range of the six-rotor eVTOL is rated at about 30-40km and/or 35-45 minutes. The top speed is 130km/h, and the altitude ceiling is about 500m.
The four-seat mothership, which is about 5.5m long, has a range of about 1000km and is rear-wheel steer to aid manoeuvrability.
A diff lock is also present to aid its off-road ability.
Mass production is due to start in 2026 with annual volume projected at 10,000 units.
TrueEV has had an example of XPeng’s $200,000 X2 flying car in its possession since 2024 and has displayed it frequently at public events, generating plenty of serious enquiry.
And it’s that potential commercial opportunity is one of the reasons XPeng has locked in a Land Aircraft Carrier locally.
“If we had that we would definitely sell some,” TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke said.
“If you had asked me a year ago I would have been chuckling with you. Look at all that sizzle, there’s not much sausage.
“But it’s not the case. I’ve been proved wrong from my initial thoughts. There is demand.”
Clarke, who confirmed the $450,000 price of the LAC, said there was a lot of enquiry from rural areas for VTOL technology.
“Farmers with helicopters, remote area emergency services, airports, large ports, large expansive areas where getting from A to B is difficult if you need to get there fast.”
Clarke argued another advantage of a VTOL over a helicopter is lower maintenance costs and quieter operation.
“These are a much better option,” he said.
Another reason for bringing the LAC to Australia was to help distinguish XPeng from the many other Chinese car companies landing locally.
XPeng currently only sells the soon-to-be-updated G6 electric SUV, but will add the X9 people-mover to its ranks before the end of the year, as well as the G7 and G9 SUVs in 2026.
The Mona M03 and/or P7+ passenger cars are then wanted for 2027.
“[XPeng’s] just another Chinese car brand right? No, look at what these guys design, look at how forward thinking they are, the capability of design and manufacture of vehicle as well as low altitude mobility, which is what they call these vehicles,” Clarke stated.
“So its showcasing capability, technology, the future and efficiency.”