200 kW, torque density of 40 N·m/kg, six components integrated into one and a dual‑channel safety system

As reported by CCTV+, China’s achievements in low‑altitude aviation have become evident as the first domestically developed engine specifically designed for electric vertical take‑off and landing aircraft rolled off the production line.

The AEE25 aviation electric motor, developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China’s Aviation Engine Control Systems Institute, was delivered on Friday to Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. It set a national record for torque density, meaning a lighter engine that allows the aircraft to carry more passengers or cargo.

This achievement marks a major breakthrough in key technologies for aviation electric propulsion systems, with the engine’s performance reaching international levels.

The AEE25 converts electrical energy from onboard batteries into lift and thrust for the rotors. It achieved a torque density of 40 newton‑metres per kilogram — the highest figure among publicly presented 200 kW‑class aviation electric motors in China.

The motor integrates six core components — the main motor and its controller, the cooling‑system motor and its controller, and the blade pitch actuator and its controller — into a single unit.

Liu Guoping, deputy director of the AECC institute, explained: “This is a highly integrated product. For aircraft manufacturers, it can start working immediately after the propeller is installed and connected to the power supply and bus, simplifying the aircraft design process. Moreover, the engine is designed with safety in mind: all motors are duplicated, and all controllers have two channels. If a single point fails, output power is guaranteed.”

The AEE25 will be installed on the E20 eVTOL aircraft developed by Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. It is undergoing airworthiness certification in parallel with the aircraft’s development programme.

eVTOL stands for electric Vertical Take‑Off and Landing. Torque density (torque per unit mass) is a key parameter for such aircraft, determining their payload capacity and range.

40 newton‑metres per kilogram. This is not just a number. It is a ticket to the sky for Chinese eVTOLs. Less weight — more passengers. Two control channels — safety even in the event of a failure. One unit instead of six — simplicity and reliability. China is not just catching up with the leaders. It is designing, manufacturing and certifying its own engines. The question is not when eVTOLs will fly. They will fly very soon. The question is how many cities will be ready to embrace this technology. And who will be the first to sit in the cockpit. China is already preparing its answer.