Photo: Beta Technologies
There are many top-tier eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) makers out there, but few of them are also committed to preparing America for regular electric flights. Beta Technologies is riding the wave, determined to set up the widest national network of multi-modal electric charging stations.
You've most likely heard about Alia, the impressive dragonfly-inspired eVTOL with an unusual design. An Alia prototype boasting one of the two Beta Technologies configurations recently wrapped up a pioneering mission with the US Air Force. It was deployed at Duke Field in Florida for an entire month, which paved the way for upcoming eVTOL operations within the military.
Right after that, the electric aircraft marked a spectacular arrival at the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) in Alabama. It happened earlier this week during the inauguration event for what is now officially the first electric aircraft charger in the state of Alabama. Both the Alia aircraft and the charging unit are designed and developed by Beta Technologies, based in Burlington, Vermont.
This brings the number of electric aircraft chargers brought by Beta across the US to a total of 17. In October 2023, the state of Massachusetts also welcomed its first charging station, which was installed at the Marshfield Municipal Airport. In addition to multiple commercial airports, the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida also became the home of the first-ever eVTOL charger to be installed at a USAF base.
It's only the beginning. More than 55 other sites are currently in development. The electric chargers set up there will serve multiple fields, from commercial and military use to medical or even private use. In the end, Beta Technologies expects to have 150 of these electric aircraft chargers running across the US as part of a pioneering infrastructure network. This should become a reality by 2025, and it looks like the Vermont-based company is on track.
An important thing to note is that these multi-modal charging stations can power not only eVTOLs, regardless of their maker, but ground-based EVs as well. Here's how they’re set up – a Level 3 fast charger is typically inside the airport fence for aircraft, and a second Level 2 charger is placed outside the fence. This second charging unit is available for public, ground-based electric vehicles. In MGM's case, Alabama Power joined the project to provide public access to the multi-modal chargers.
While building this trailblazing infrastructure network, Beta Technologies is also working hard to obtain the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification for the Alia eVTOL (in two configurations). Two years ago, the aircraft's technology demonstrator was part of a complex, five-day test flight campaign in the form of an 876-mile (1,410 km) journey from Plattsburgh, New York, to Louisville, Kentucky.
Right after that, the electric aircraft marked a spectacular arrival at the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) in Alabama. It happened earlier this week during the inauguration event for what is now officially the first electric aircraft charger in the state of Alabama. Both the Alia aircraft and the charging unit are designed and developed by Beta Technologies, based in Burlington, Vermont.
This brings the number of electric aircraft chargers brought by Beta across the US to a total of 17. In October 2023, the state of Massachusetts also welcomed its first charging station, which was installed at the Marshfield Municipal Airport. In addition to multiple commercial airports, the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida also became the home of the first-ever eVTOL charger to be installed at a USAF base.
It's only the beginning. More than 55 other sites are currently in development. The electric chargers set up there will serve multiple fields, from commercial and military use to medical or even private use. In the end, Beta Technologies expects to have 150 of these electric aircraft chargers running across the US as part of a pioneering infrastructure network. This should become a reality by 2025, and it looks like the Vermont-based company is on track.
An important thing to note is that these multi-modal charging stations can power not only eVTOLs, regardless of their maker, but ground-based EVs as well. Here's how they’re set up – a Level 3 fast charger is typically inside the airport fence for aircraft, and a second Level 2 charger is placed outside the fence. This second charging unit is available for public, ground-based electric vehicles. In MGM's case, Alabama Power joined the project to provide public access to the multi-modal chargers.
While building this trailblazing infrastructure network, Beta Technologies is also working hard to obtain the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification for the Alia eVTOL (in two configurations). Two years ago, the aircraft's technology demonstrator was part of a complex, five-day test flight campaign in the form of an 876-mile (1,410 km) journey from Plattsburgh, New York, to Louisville, Kentucky.
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