Articles tagged with "electric-aircraft"
From test flights to revenue: How AIR quietly reached eVTOL maturity
The article highlights AIR's distinctive and methodical approach to advancing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, contrasting with many startups that focused on hype and passenger urban air taxis. Founded in 2018, AIR prioritized patient development by initially testing scaled prototypes and refining manufacturability rather than public demonstrations. This strategy enabled AIR to transition early from concept to full-scale development, initiating flight tests in 2022 and achieving significant milestones such as a full transition flight with maximum payload by the end of that year. Unlike many competitors, AIR moved quickly into operational contexts, delivering its first uncrewed cargo aircraft by mid-2023, which entered active service performing real logistics missions. AIR’s strategic focus on uncrewed cargo operations allowed it to bypass the heavier regulatory burdens associated with piloted passenger eVTOL certification, accelerating commercial deployment and revenue generation. By 2023, AIR earned about $1 million from cargo orders, which grew fivefold in 2024, outp
roboticsautonomous-vehicleseVTOLadvanced-air-mobilitydrone-logisticselectric-aircrafturban-air-transportVertical Aerospace Brings Valo to New York, Outlining Plans for Electric Air Taxi Routes - CleanTechnica
Vertical Aerospace has introduced its electric aircraft, Valo, to the U.S. market with a debut event in New York City, marking a significant step toward launching commercial electric air taxis. Valo is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph with zero emissions and is engineered to meet stringent airliner safety standards. The aircraft features a premium cabin with four seats, panoramic windows, and ample luggage space, with plans to expand to six seats to improve economics and reduce fares. Certification is targeted for 2028, enabling entry into service globally, including with partners like American Airlines. In collaboration with Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure, Vertical Aerospace is developing electric air taxi routes in and out of Manhattan to drastically reduce travel times—for example, cutting multi-hour road journeys from JFK Airport to Manhattan down to minutes. These routes leverage Bristow’s helicopter transport expertise and Skyports’ existing urban skyport infrastructure, including Manhattan’s Downtown Skyport. Proposed use cases include airport
energyelectric-aircraftvertical-aerospaceair-mobilityclean-transportationelectric-air-taxisustainable-aviationAIR debuts AIR ONE personal eVTOL with eight-motor design
At CES 2026, AIR CEO Rani Plaut unveiled the AIR ONE, an all-electric personal eVTOL aircraft designed to make aviation more accessible by combining automotive simplicity with aerospace innovation. Dubbed the “sports car of the sky,” the AIR ONE targets adventurous private users rather than urban commuters, aiming to simplify flying through software that mimics car controls. The company plans to scale production significantly, starting from 60 units per year and eventually reaching 1,000 annually, moving away from traditional low-volume aviation manufacturing. Safety is a paramount focus for AIR, achieved through an eight-motor design that provides extreme hardware redundancy. This ensures the aircraft can safely land even if a critical component fails, emphasizing prevention of emergencies rather than reactive measures. Unlike many urban air mobility concepts, AIR does not prioritize crowded city environments, citing public resistance to heavy aircraft flying at low altitudes. Instead, the AIR ONE is intended for practical transport over rivers, islands, or large properties, offering about one hour
energyelectric-aircrafteVTOLaviation-technologypersonal-flightvertical-takeoff-and-landingaerospace-innovationPhotos: First pilot-free eVTOL flies in US, paves way for everyday air travel
Wisk Aero’s Generation 6 (Gen 6) eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft achieved a significant milestone on December 16, 2025, by completing its first fully autonomous passenger flight at the company’s Hollister, California test facility. This flight marks the first FAA type certification candidate for a fully autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL in the U.S. Developed over more than a decade through six generations, the Gen 6 is designed from the ground up for autonomy, replacing traditional pilot controls with a “Multi-Vehicle Supervisor” system that allows a single ground operator to monitor multiple aircraft simultaneously. This autonomy-first approach aims to reduce costs and improve safety by minimizing human error. The Gen 6 eVTOL cruises at 120 knots (138 mph) and operates up to 4,000 feet altitude, carrying four passengers plus luggage. Its design features six dedicated lift rotors and six convertible lift/thrust rotors on a 50-foot
robotautonomous-flighteVTOLaviation-technologydrone-technologyflight-control-systemselectric-aircraftMeet the 5 air taxis set to define the future of urban mobility in 2026
The autonomous air taxi industry is poised for significant advancement in 2026, with several leading companies nearing certification and preparing for commercial operations. This marks a transition from experimental phases to practical urban air mobility solutions, promising to reshape transportation infrastructure and regulatory frameworks globally. Key players are developing innovative electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for various urban and regional use cases, with plans to launch passenger services in multiple international markets. Joby Aviation leads the pack with its S4 aircraft, capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph and a 100-mile range, targeting commercial flights in Dubai by early 2026. Archer Aviation’s Midnight aircraft, featuring 12 rotors and similar passenger capacity, aims for operations in Abu Dhabi with FAA certification underway. Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 offers both all-electric and hybrid variants with extended range and payload capacity, suitable for diverse industries beyond urban mobility. Lilium Jet focuses on regional routes with its six-passenger duct
energyelectric-aircrafturban-air-mobilityautonomous-vehiclesFAA-certificationelectric-motorsair-taxisNew Zealand tests zero-emission electric plane with 250 mile-range
Air New Zealand and US-based BETA Technologies have initiated a four-month technical demonstrator program in New Zealand to test the all-electric, zero-emission BETA ALIA CX300 cargo aircraft. The program involves flights starting from Hamilton and continuing between Wellington and Blenheim, including challenging routes across Cook Strait. These tests aim to collect operational and environmental data to assess the aircraft’s performance in real-world regional air travel conditions. The aircraft, designed for conventional take-off and landing, can fly up to approximately 398 kilometers (247 miles) and carry two crew members plus cargo, with recharging supported by mobile 65kW chargers enabling quick turnarounds. This collaborative effort includes Air New Zealand, BETA Technologies, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and airport partners, with pilots conducting flights under various conditions to gather data for global applications. The initiative also addresses regulatory challenges posed by emerging aviation technologies, with the CAA working to establish safe integration pathways. The aircraft will remain in New Zealand
energyelectric-aircraftzero-emissionbattery-electricsustainable-aviationrenewable-energyaviation-technologyThe accelerator is on the floor for autonomous vehicles
The article highlights the rapid advancements and growing deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, particularly robotaxis, across multiple U.S. cities. Waymo has begun operations with safety monitors in Philadelphia and plans manual data collection drives in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. Uber and Avride have launched robotaxi services with human safety operators, while California’s DMV has updated regulations to permit testing and eventual deployment of self-driving trucks on public highways. Despite this momentum, the technology faces scrutiny due to safety concerns, including investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Waymo’s interactions with school buses and a fatal incident involving a Waymo robotaxi and a cat named KitKat, which has drawn public criticism and media attention. The article also touches on significant leadership changes at Lucid Motors amid its production ramp-up of the Gravity SUV, with several top executives and senior managers departing, prompting internal promotions and new hires. In the electric aviation sector, Beta Technologies is securing a promising supplier deal with Eve Air
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-carsrobotaxiselectric-motorselectric-aircraftmobility-technologyLithium-air battery breakthrough could improve power for future EVs, aircraft
A research collaboration between Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and carbon specialist Toyo Tanso has achieved a significant breakthrough in lithium-air battery technology, which is crucial for advancing electric vehicles (EVs) and electric aircraft. They developed a novel carbon electrode with a layered porous structure by combining Toyo Tanso’s “CNovel” porous carbon and NIMS’s self-standing carbon membrane fabrication technology. This design enhances ion transport and chemical reactions within the battery, addressing key challenges such as low output, short lifespan, and poor scalability that have hindered lithium-air batteries’ practical use. The team successfully built and tested a prototype 1-Wh-class stacked lithium-air battery with a 4 cm x 4 cm electrode, demonstrating stable cycling for over 150 cycles at a high current density. This electrode design not only improves power output—critical for instant acceleration in EVs and vertical lift in electric aircraft—but also enhances durability and lifespan due to improved carbon crystallinity. Furthermore, the
energylithium-air-batteryelectric-vehicleselectric-aircraftcarbon-electrodebattery-technologyenergy-storage-materialsThe Electric VTOL Aircraft Industry Is Crashing - CleanTechnica
The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry, once heralded as a revolutionary shift in urban aviation, is facing a significant downturn marked by collapsing stock prices and waning investor confidence. Despite early hype around rapid disruption through clean, convenient urban air mobility, the sector has struggled with slow technological progress, high operational costs, and the absence of certified passenger aircraft in major markets like the US and Europe. Key challenges include the demanding engineering requirements of vertical lift, limitations of current lithium battery energy densities, and regulatory hurdles. These factors have exposed the overly optimistic assumptions made during the initial boom, such as rapid regulatory approvals, widespread infrastructure acceptance, and breakthrough powertrain performance. Regulatory and operational constraints further complicate the industry's prospects. No Western powered lift passenger aircraft has yet achieved full type certification, with ongoing uncertainties around automation and distributed propulsion standards. FAA delays and stricter vertiport design requirements—driven by strong rotor downwash effects—limit viable deployment locations and operational frequency
energyelectric-aircrafteVTOLbattery-technologyaviation-regulationvertical-liftclean-energyNew electric VTOL aircraft for US military completes first flight
Joby Aviation announced the successful first flight of its new turbine-electric, autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft on November 7 at its Marina, California facility. This hybrid VTOL demonstrator builds on Joby’s existing electric air taxi platform by integrating a hybrid turbine powertrain and the company’s SuperPilot autonomous flight system. Designed to carry heavier payloads and achieve significantly longer ranges than all-electric models, the aircraft targets expanded commercial air taxi routes and military missions such as logistics, surveillance, and autonomous operations. The flight milestone follows Joby’s recent partnership with defense contractor L3Harris Technologies, which will equip the aircraft with sensors, communications, and mission systems for defense roles including contested logistics, loyal wingman, unmanned escort, and low-altitude support. This development aligns with the U.S. government’s growing investment—over $9 billion requested in the fiscal 2026 budget—for next-generation autonomous and hybrid aircraft to enhance unmanned and runway-independent capabilities. Job
energyautonomous-systemselectric-aircrafthybrid-powertrainVTOLmilitary-technologyunmanned-aerial-vehiclesBeta Technologies ends first day on NYSE in the green and $1B raised
Beta Technologies, an electric aviation startup based in Vermont, made a strong debut on the New York Stock Exchange by raising over $1 billion through its IPO, pricing shares at $34—above the expected range—and closing the day at $36. The company sold 29.9 million shares, achieving a valuation of $7.4 billion. Founded in 2017 by Kyle Clark, a former professional hockey player and pilot instructor, Beta took an unconventional path by avoiding Silicon Valley and venture capital, instead securing $1.15 billion from institutional investors such as Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, Amazon, and General Electric. Notably, Beta proceeded with its IPO filing during a government shutdown under new SEC guidance allowing IPOs to become effective after 20 days without staff review, enabling a prolonged roadshow that Clark believed strengthened investor confidence. Beta Technologies focuses on developing electric aircraft and related infrastructure, aiming to become an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in aviation. It has designed two models: the Alia
energyelectric-aviationelectric-aircrafteVTOLEV-chargingIPOBeta-TechnologiesWhat’s stopping flying cars and jetpacks from becoming mainstream?
The article explores why personal flying vehicles like jetpacks, hoverboards, and flying cars have yet to become mainstream despite significant technological advances. Modern personal flying machines largely fall under the EVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) category, benefiting from drone technology improvements such as flight stabilization and obstacle avoidance. A vibrant DIY community, supported by accessible tech like 3D printing and online tutorials, has enabled enthusiasts to build functional ultralight aircraft, exemplified by innovators like Hunter Kowald’s Sky Surfer flying skateboard and companies like Omni Hoverboards and Ascend Dynamics. Beyond ultralight craft, companies inspired by sci-fi have developed jetpack and airbike prototypes, such as Gravity Industries’ hand-steered jetpack and Volonort’s speeder bike-style vehicle. While impressive, their reliance on jet fuel limits everyday use. The next evolution is flying cars, with examples like the Jetson ONE—a single-seat, eight-rotor EVTOL priced at $150,000 and aimed at
robotenergymaterialsEVTOLelectric-aircraftdrone-technologypersonal-flying-vehiclesBlue Origin's Loay Elbasyouni is rethinking power systems for air, space, and AI
Loay Elbasyouni, Senior Manager of Engine Electrical Design at Blue Origin and founder of the low-power AI startup AstraQua, has built a career focused on solving complex problems in power and energy systems across aerospace, renewable energy, and AI. His work spans from NASA’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity to next-generation rocket engines, driven by a passion to develop advanced, cost-effective technologies that improve life on Earth and beyond. Elbasyouni’s journey began with a childhood curiosity about electronics and entrepreneurship, leading him to innovate in electric cars, electric aircraft, and now space propulsion and low-power AI. Elbasyouni emphasizes a consistent theme throughout his career: leveraging dual-use technologies that serve both space exploration and terrestrial applications. His involvement with NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter came from a combination of being in the right place at the right time and a strong commitment to cutting-edge, impactful technologies. He views his work as part of a broader mission to tackle seemingly impossible challenges and
energyrenewable-energyelectric-aircraftspace-propulsionlow-power-AIaerospace-innovationelectric-enginesTrust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification - CleanTechnica
The article "Trust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification" highlights a significant shift in global aviation regulatory trust from traditional Western authorities like the FAA and EASA toward China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC). This transition is exemplified by Brunei’s recent decision to recognize CAAC airworthiness rules, marking the first Southeast Asian country to do so. Vietnam has also indicated openness to accepting Chinese-certified aircraft. These moves reflect a broader trend where CAAC certifications for passenger, cargo, and emerging electric and hybrid aircraft are increasingly accepted worldwide, except notably in Europe and the United States. This shift is driven by China’s expanding domestic aviation market, its growing manufacturing capabilities, and its global infrastructure investments, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has seen China finance or build around sixty airports across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The article emphasizes that China’s influence extends beyond aircraft manufacturing to creating an integrated aviation ecosystem abroad, including infrastructure, data systems, and
energyaviationelectric-aircrafthybrid-aircraftcertificationinfrastructureChinaDefunct electric aircraft startup Lilium’s tech lives on over at Archer
Electric aircraft startup Lilium, which ceased operations in 2024 after raising over $1 billion and going public in 2021, has had its core technology acquired by Archer Aviation. Despite multiple restructuring attempts, Lilium filed for insolvency, leading a bankruptcy administrator to auction its assets. Archer won the competitive bid with an €18 million ($21 million) offer for all 300 of Lilium’s patents, outbidding competitors including Joby Aviation and Ambitious Air Mobility Group. Lilium had been developing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft capable of speeds up to 100 km/h and had secured notable investors and customers, such as Tencent and a 100-jet order from Saudi Arabia, but ultimately ran out of cash before delivering a product. Archer’s acquisition of Lilium’s patents adds critical eVTOL technologies to its portfolio, including high-voltage systems, flight controls, ducted fans, and advanced aircraft design, expanding its intellectual property to over
electric-aircrafteVTOLvertical-takeoff-and-landingelectric-propulsionaviation-technologyenergy-systemspatent-acquisitionElectric aircraft startup Beta Technologies seeks to raise $825M in IPO
Beta Technologies, an electric aviation startup based in Vermont and founded in 2017 by CEO Kyle Clark, has priced its initial public offering (IPO) shares between $27 and $33, aiming to raise up to $825 million. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the company filed its IPO paperwork by leveraging recent SEC guidance that allows certain IPO statements to become automatically effective after 20 days without staff review. This move follows a trend of other companies advancing IPO plans under the same rule. Distinct from typical Silicon Valley startups, Beta Technologies has avoided venture capital funding, instead securing $1.15 billion from institutional investors such as Fidelity and the Qatar Investment Authority. Recently, the company announced a partnership with GE Aerospace to develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for next-generation aircraft, with GE investing $300 million and acquiring a stake in Beta. This strategic collaboration highlights Beta’s focus on advancing electric aircraft technology through significant institutional backing and innovative development.
energyelectric-aircraftaviation-technologyhybrid-electric-turbogeneratorBeta-TechnologiesIPOaerospace-investmentSilent wings: Top 10 electric planes promising fast, quiet journeys
The article "Silent wings: Top 10 electric planes promising fast, quiet journeys" highlights the significant advancements in electric aviation as of 2025, showcasing how electric aircraft are transitioning from experimental prototypes to production-ready models. Driven by improvements in battery technology, lightweight materials, and hybrid propulsion, these aircraft offer cleaner, quieter, and more efficient flight options. The article profiles leading electric planes that exemplify this shift, including the Pipistrel Velis Electro—the world’s first type-certified electric aircraft used primarily for flight training with zero emissions and ultra-quiet operation. Another key model is the Eviation Alice, an all-electric passenger plane designed for regional travel with a nine-passenger capacity and a cruise speed of 253 mph, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency. Other notable aircraft include NASA’s X-57 Maxwell, which, although its program ended in 2024, contributed valuable research on distributed electric propulsion aimed at drastically improving cruise efficiency. Sweden’s Heart Aerospace ES-30 offers a hybrid-electric solution for
energyelectric-aircraftaviation-technologybattery-technologyhybrid-propulsionsustainable-aviationlightweight-materialsAlaska's Ryan Air Orders BETA Technology Electric Plane For Cargo Duty - CleanTechnica
Alaska’s Ryan Air has placed an order for the Alia CX300 electric aircraft from BETA Technologies to support cargo delivery across the state’s numerous remote communities. The Alia CX300 is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) electric plane designed to carry up to 1,250 pounds of cargo, with capabilities for instrument flight rules and operation in known icing conditions—critical features for Alaska’s harsh weather. The aircraft boasts a 50-foot wingspan, a range of 336 nautical miles, a maximum speed of 153 knots, and a battery system that charges to 98% in under an hour. Ryan Air plans to deploy up to 10 BETA Charge Cubes at strategic locations to support the electric fleet and other electric vehicles, helping reduce reliance on diesel-powered local grids. BETA Technologies, based in Vermont, manufactures electric aircraft in both VTOL and CTOL configurations, with existing operations and tests in Norway and Denmark. The adoption of electric planes like the Al
electric-aircraftBETA-Technologieselectric-planeenergy-storageelectric-propulsionVTOLclean-energyArcher’s electric aircraft hits 126 mph in record 55-mile flight
Archer Aviation has achieved a significant milestone with its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, completing its longest piloted flight to date. Conducted in Salinas, California, the flight lasted 31 minutes and covered 55 miles, reaching speeds over 126 mph in Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) mode. This test demonstrated the aircraft’s range, reliability, and versatility, as it can operate in both CTOL and VTOL modes. The Midnight has also reached speeds nearing 150 mph in other flight patterns, indicating steady progress toward full operational capability. United Airlines, a major partner, celebrated the achievement, highlighting the aircraft’s quiet operation as advantageous for urban air taxi services. Archer’s CEO Adam Goldstein emphasized that surpassing the 50-mile mark at speed marks a clear step toward commercialization. With four test pilots actively flying the Midnight as part of the FAA certification campaign, the company is focused on regulatory approval in the U.S. and plans to
energyelectric-aircrafteVTOLaviation-technologysustainable-transportationelectric-propulsionurban-air-mobilityNew Technologies Will Hasten The End Of Fossil Fuels. Yay! - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the ongoing political and industrial efforts to maintain fossil fuel dominance, including attempts by the current U.S. administration to roll back environmental regulations and hinder carbon dioxide monitoring. These actions, driven largely by fossil fuel interests, aim to undermine climate change mitigation by eliminating the “endangerment finding” that classifies CO2 as a greenhouse gas and by disrupting satellite and observatory measurements critical for tracking atmospheric carbon levels. The article criticizes these moves as willful ignorance of the climate crisis, likening them to ignoring an approaching forest fire or iceberg. Despite these setbacks, the article emphasizes that technological advancements offer hope for overcoming fossil fuel dependence. A key example is Hyundai’s development of new solid-state battery technology, which promises higher energy density, faster charging, longer life, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Hyundai’s innovation includes a protective coating for copper anodes, which are typically vulnerable to corrosion by sulfide electrolytes used in solid-state batteries. This coating
energyclean-energysolid-state-batteriesbattery-technologyelectric-aircraftHyundaienergy-storage-materialsChina’s new 600Wh/kg lithium battery could double EV energy density
Chinese researchers at Tianjin University have developed a lithium metal battery with an unprecedented energy density of 600 Wh/kg, potentially doubling the energy density of Tesla’s best batteries and quadrupling that of BYD’s Blade batteries. This breakthrough could significantly extend the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs), alleviate range anxiety, reduce battery weight, and enhance performance and efficiency. Additionally, the battery’s high energy density and safety features open up promising applications in electric aircraft and drones, where extended flight times and reliability are critical. The team achieved this advancement by rethinking the traditional lithium-ion solvation structure, creating a more flexible, non-localized interaction between lithium ions and solvent molecules. Using machine learning to optimize lithium salts and solvents, and incorporating fluorine to enhance thermal stability, the battery demonstrated remarkable safety characteristics: it operates at temperatures as low as -60 °C without freezing, resists ignition under open flame, and withstands nail penetration tests. Early tests showed stable performance after 90 charge cycles and
energylithium-batteryelectric-vehiclesbattery-technologymaterials-scienceenergy-densityelectric-aircraftSwiss pilot soars to 31,237 feet in a record solar-powered flight
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan set a new altitude record for solar-powered electric planes by flying his SolarStratos aircraft to 31,237 feet (9,521 meters), surpassing a 15-year-old record of 30,298 feet. The flight, launched from Sion airport in southwest Switzerland, lasted five hours and nine minutes and involved using warm air thermals to climb higher. At cruising altitude, Domjan even crossed paths with a commercial airliner, symbolizing the potential for decarbonized aviation. The flight data will be submitted to the World Air Sports Federation for official verification. The SolarStratos plane is a carbon fiber, single-propeller aircraft with a wingspan of 81.4 feet (24.8 meters) covered by 237 square feet (22 square meters) of advanced solar panels. It can take off at 31 mph and cruise at about 50 mph. Domjan, an experienced eco-adventurer and lecturer, aims to eventually reach the
energysolar-poweraviationelectric-aircraftrenewable-energycarbon-fiber-materialsdecarbonizationWorld's first two-ton VTOL drone completes cargo delivery in China
China has achieved a significant milestone by completing the world’s first offshore cargo delivery using a two-ton electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) drone, the V2000CG CarryAll. Developed by Shanghai-based Autoflight, this unmanned aircraft transported fresh fruit and emergency medical supplies 150 kilometers over open water from Shenzhen to a China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) platform in just 58 minutes. The all-electric drone combines helicopter-style vertical lift with fixed-wing cruise efficiency, carrying up to 400 kilograms at speeds of about 124 miles per hour and covering distances up to 124 miles on a single charge, all while producing zero in-flight emissions. This innovation drastically reduces offshore supply transit times from over 10 hours by boat to approximately one hour, offering lower operating costs, faster response times, and the ability to land in confined spaces. The V2000CG’s successful mission and recent certification mark a key step in China’s push to commercialize large-scale
droneeVTOLelectric-aircraftcargo-deliveryoffshore-logisticsautonomous-flightenergy-efficient-transportationAIR lands $23M to bring its eVTOLs to the US
AIR, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) manufacturer, recently raised $23 million in a Series A funding round led by Entree Capital to support scaling production in Israel, hiring staff, and expanding into the U.S. market. The company offers two main aircraft: the piloted AIR ONE for personal or commercial taxi use, and an uncrewed cargo eVTOL designed for logistics and defense applications. Since delivering its first cargo eVTOL in late 2023, AIR has secured over 2,500 pre-orders for AIR ONE and plans to ship 15 cargo eVTOLs this year. The funding round aligns with recent U.S. regulatory developments, including an Executive Order promoting domestic drone and eVTOL development and updates to the FAA’s MOSAIC rule, which expands certification pathways for light sport aircraft (LSA). AIR’s cargo eVTOLs currently operate under Experimental Airworthiness Certificates (EAC), allowing limited flights during development and testing,
robotuncrewed-aerial-vehicleseVTOLdrone-technologyelectric-aircraftaerospace-materialsaviation-energy-systemsWorld’s first two-ton vertical takeoff aircraft set to fly in China
Chinese electric aircraft manufacturer Autoflight has achieved a global milestone by delivering the CarryAll V2000CG, the world’s first two-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to receive all three major airworthiness certifications: Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Airworthiness Certificate. This unmanned, fully electric aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of two metric tons (approximately 4,400 pounds), a payload capacity of 400 kilograms (880 pounds), a cruising speed of about 124 mph (200 kph), and a maximum range of 124 miles (200 km). Designed to combine the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the efficient cruising of a fixed-wing aircraft, the CarryAll V2000CG is intended for cargo delivery, emergency supply transport, and disaster response, benefiting from quieter and cleaner electric propulsion and the ability to operate in confined spaces. This development aligns with China’s national push to accelerate its “low-altitude economy,” which aims to commercialize air
robotelectric-aircrafteVTOLvertical-takeoff-and-landingdrone-logisticsair-mobilityautonomous-flightElectric aircraft achieves world's first piloted airport-to-airport flight
Vertical Aerospace has achieved a historic milestone by completing the world’s first piloted airport-to-airport flight in a full-scale, winged tilt-rotor electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for commercial use. On July 16, 2025, the VX4 prototype flew 17 miles from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, reaching speeds of 115 mph and an altitude of 1,800 feet. This flight, approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, demonstrated the VX4’s ability to integrate with real-world airport operations and marked its first public landing, witnessed by thousands. Following the flight, the VX4 was displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the world’s largest military air show, where Vertical Aerospace was the sole electric aircraft exhibitor. Vertical Aerospace is positioning the VX4 not only for commercial urban air mobility but also as a versatile platform for defence, logistics, and special missions, emphasizing its quieter, cleaner operation
electric-aircrafteVTOLvertical-aerospacehybrid-electric-propulsionurban-air-mobilityaviation-energy-technologyelectric-aviationAIR ONE’s electric air taxi races toward first piloted flight by 2026
EDAG Group and AIR have formalized their partnership through a letter of intent to jointly develop and manufacture the AIR ONE electric air taxi, building on two years of collaboration. EDAG is responsible for producing key structural components, including folding wings, engine arms, and a modular cabin that can be reconfigured for passengers or cargo. The AIR ONE is designed in multiple variants, with a fully electric model offering about one hour of flight time and a payload capacity of 250 kilograms, while a hybrid version could extend the range up to 450 kilometers. Currently in assembly and testing, the AIR ONE features a compact design with a wingspan of 7 meters and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). It boasts fast charging capabilities, reaching full charge in about one hour and 20%-80% charge in half that time, minimizing downtime. The cargo variant provides 70 cubic feet of space for transporting equipment such as pallets or stretchers. The $150,000 passenger edition has sold
electric-aircrafteVTOLenergy-storagehybrid-propulsionbattery-technologyelectric-mobilityaerospace-materialsArcher’s electric aircraft takes off in first crewed runway flight
energyelectric-aircrafteVTOLaviation-technologyflight-testingsustainable-transportationelectric-vehiclesElectric HyBrid Passenger Plane In Development: The ES-30 - CleanTechnica
energyhybrid-electricaviationdecarbonizationelectric-aircraftbattery-technologyclimate-changeAn early Joby Aviation backer might soon be its biggest distributor in Saudi Arabia
energyelectric-aircrafteVTOLdistribution-agreementJoby-AviationSaudi-Arabiaaviation-technologyMIT’s sodium fuel cell could fly electric planes while sucking CO2
energyfuel-cellelectric-aircraftsodium-air-batteryrenewable-energycarbon-captureenergy-density