EHang Partners with Giancarlo Zema Design Group, an Italian innovative architecture practice based in Rome, specialized in smart eco-sustainable projects, to Build Eco-Sustainable Vertiports. GZDG Group will design the world’s first fully eco-sustainable vertiport capable of charging the two-seater eVTOL aircraft E216. Logistics is a big problem in VTOL development and there are only a few companies in the world which design vertiports.
The concept design is a 30m high tower inspired by the native African Baobab tree, with a steel and laminated wood structure, waiting room, cafe, and a 200 sq.m. panoramic restaurant and connecting lift. The Baobab design has a small footprint and can be placed in a natural park and will not disrupt the habitat. Take-off and landing platform will be located on the roof terrace. Photovoltaic panels will be installed with a non-slipping technology, capable of producing more than 300 kW. SOLAPAVE, a UK company, has developed solar panels that can withstand weights of up to 500kg without breaking. They are designed to be anti-slip, anti-freeze, with a built-in Wi-Fi and have LED-lights that will illuminate at night.