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Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (22): 332000.doi: 10.7527/S1000-6893.2025.32000

• Electronics and Electrical Engineering and Control • Previous Articles    

Research advances in electrical propulsion systems for electric vertical take-off and landing aircrafts: A comprehensive review

Yongze MIAO1,2, Xinggang FAN1,2(), Dawei LI1,2, Wei SUN1,2, Lihao HUANG3,4, Shengqiao HAO3, Haiyang FANG1,2, Ronghai QU1, Yancheng YOU4   

  1. 1.School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan 430074,China
    2.State Key Laboratory of High-Density Electrical Energy Conversion,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan 430074,China
    3.AECC Aero Engine Control System Institute,Wuxi 214063,China
    4.School of Aerospace Engineering,Xiamen University,Xiamen 361102,China
  • Received:2025-03-20 Revised:2025-05-19 Accepted:2025-07-15 Online:2025-07-29 Published:2025-07-18
  • Contact: Xinggang FAN E-mail:xinggangfan@hust.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(52477049);AECC Industry-University-Research Cooperation Project(HFZL2023CXY032)

Abstract:

Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), a new type of air carrier, has attracted more and more policy support, capital investment and academic attention as one of the actual carriers of low-altitude economy in recent years. The electrical propulsion system is the core power unit of eVTOL, and its performance has a decisive impact on the operational quality of the vehicle. This paper first describes the different architectures of eVTOL electrical propulsion systems, and classifies them to summarize the technical characteristics and requirements of eVTOL electrical propulsion systems. Next, the main domestic and foreign eVTOL machine products and their adopted electrical propulsion systems is compiled and summarized, the performance indexes and technical characteristics of each electrical propulsion system is analyzed, and the current status of the technology level is also clarified. In addition, for the realization of high-performance electrical propulsion system, this paper discusses the research progress of eVTOL motor electromagnetic, cooling, structure, material and electronic control design technology at home and abroad. Finally, based on the aforementioned technical needs and current situation analysis, this paper points out the development trend and technical challenges of eVTOL electrical propulsion system, providing reference for researchers in this field.

Key words: low-altitude economy, electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), electrical propulsion system, high torque density, specific power, machine design

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