Low-Altitude Economy Takes Off: Why eVTOL Can’t Do Without Carbon Fiber?

March 26, 2026

As the “low-altitude economy” was included in the government work reports of major global economies for the first time in 2026, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft have moved from science fiction concepts to the brink of commercialization. From AutoFlight’s “Prosperity” completing the first cross-city flight between Shenzhen and Zhuhai, to Joby Aviation’s successful test flight in Manhattan, New York, flying cars are rapidly becoming a reality.

Behind these exciting headlines, however, a critical material is quietly supporting this aerial revolution: carbon fiber composites. It is not only key to eVTOL weight reduction but also the economic cornerstone for their commercial operation.

Why Is eVTOL So Sensitive to Weight?

Unlike conventional aircraft, eVTOLs rely primarily on battery power. Current power batteries have an energy density of about 250–300 Wh/kg, only about 1/50 that of aviation fuel. This means that every 1 kg reduction in structural weight directly translates into increased payload or extended range.

Take Joby Aviation’s S4 as an example: its maximum takeoff weight is approximately 2,400 kg, with the battery system accounting for over 800 kg. If the airframe structure can be reduced by 30%, the range can increase by 18%–20%, which is crucial for the commercialization of urban air mobility.

Carbon Fiber: The “Skeleton” and “Muscle” of eVTOL

Carbon fiber composites are used throughout the core structure of eVTOL aircraft. According to public data from leading eVTOL companies, carbon fiber accounts for over 80% of the composites used in the airframe, mainly in the following key areas:

The rotor is a typical example. eVTOL rotors must withstand tremendous centrifugal forces at high speeds while being extremely sensitive to weight. Rotors made from carbon fiber composites can be 30%–40% lighter than aluminum alternatives, with longer fatigue life. The rotor blades of XPENG AEROHT’s “Voyager X2” are explicitly made from all-carbon fiber composite structures.

China’s Carbon Fiber Industry Achieves Airworthiness Breakthrough

In 2026, China’s carbon fiber industry reached a major milestone: Zhongfu Shenying achieved hundred-ton-scale mass production of SYT80 (T1200-grade) carbon fiber, with its products passing relevant airworthiness certifications and entering the batch production stage of the eVTOL supply chain.

Airworthiness certification is a critical threshold for eVTOL material applications. Aviation materials must meet stringent standards from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), and CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China), including dozens of tests for flame retardancy, weather resistance, impact resistance, and more. Passing airworthiness certification signifies that the stability and reliability of carbon fiber materials have reached aviation-grade requirements.

In addition to Zhongfu Shenying, other leading domestic carbon fiber companies such as Guangwei Composites and Zhongjian Technology are also actively expanding their capacities for aviation-grade prepreg and composite components in preparation for large-scale eVTOL production.

Cost and Capacity: The Final Hurdle for eVTOL Commercialization

Although carbon fiber is irreplaceable in terms of performance, its high cost (aviation-grade carbon fiber is about 3–5 times more expensive than standard industrial-grade material) has been a constraint on mass production of eVTOL.

However, this situation is changing. With the continued release of domestic carbon fiber production capacity (total domestic carbon fiber capacity exceeded 150,000 tons in 2026) and the maturation of automated molding processes (such as automated fiber placement and optimized autoclave processes), the cost of carbon fiber structural components for eVTOL is declining at an annual rate of 10%–15%.

Industry forecasts suggest that by 2028, when eVTOL enters large-scale mass production, the carbon fiber material cost per airframe is expected to drop to about 60% of current levels. This will bring significant improvements in unit economics for eVTOL operators.

Conclusion: A Two-Way Journey for Carbon Fiber Companies and eVTOL

For carbon fiber product manufacturers, the rise of the eVTOL market represents a new opportunity. This is not only a new market with potential annual demand reaching tens of thousands of tons, but also a proving ground for advancing from “industrial-grade” to “aviation-grade” manufacturing capabilities.

If your company is seeking a partner with aviation-grade carbon fiber structural component development and production capabilities, please feel free to contact us. With years of deep expertise in carbon fiber composites, we offer one-stop capabilities from material selection and structural design to airworthiness-grade production. We look forward to flying together into the future of the low-altitude economy.

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Weihai Hezong New Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Weihai Hezong New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of carbon fiber products, serving industries such as aerospace, automotive lightweighting, sporting goods, and industrial applications. We are committed to providing high-performance, high-reliability carbon fiber composite solutions to our customers.

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