(Yicai Global) Sept. 30 -- Xpeng Aeroht, an urban air mobility company under Chinese electric vehicle startup Xpeng Motors, has obtained permission for its roadable aircraft to fly from the civil aviation department of Dubai. The flying car will make its overseas public debut in the United Arab Emirates soon.

The Xpeng X2 has been granted a flight permit by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority after a successful specific operation risk assessment, Xpeng Aeroht said on its Wechat account yesterday. Earlier this month, the Guangzhou-based company sent a team of professionals to the United Arab Emirates’ capital to push ahead with the testing of the flying car.

The Xpeng X2 can stay airborne for up to 35 minutes, is able to reach a maximum altitude of 1,000 meters and can carry two passengers, the firm said. The roadable aircraft can be used for short-distance travel in cities, field rescue operations and medical transportation, it added.

The flying car will go on show at the upcoming Gitex Global expo in Dubai next month, the company said. The 42nd edition of the world’s largest tech and startup event is expected to attract over 4,000 companies and more than 100,000 attendees from around the world. 

Founded in 2013, Xpeng Aeroht is backed by Guangzhou-based Xpeng and its chairman He Xiaopeng. The firm raised USD500 million last October, giving it a valuation of CNY10.5 billion (USD1.5 billion), according to the company website.

Editor: Kim Taylor