Beta Technologies Unveils 5-Passenger Electric Flying Taxi

4 weeks ago Editor

Beta Technologies has revealed the passenger version of its electric VTOL vehicle, Alia, designed to carry five passengers and revolutionize regional air travel.

Beta Technologies, an air taxi developer based in Burlington, Vermont, has unveiled the passenger version of its Alia fixed-wing VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. The new electric aerial vehicle (EAV) is designed to transport five passengers and a pilot, along with their carry-on luggage, making it a versatile option for intra-city and regional travel.

The passenger model will launch after Beta’s cargo and medical versions, targeted for a 2025 release. Beta’s founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, emphasized the vehicle’s adaptability across multiple sectors, highlighting its low maintenance and operational energy costs as key factors in expanding new transport routes.

Beta has been actively expanding its infrastructure, recently installing electric charging stations for both aerial and ground vehicles at multiple airports in Florida, including Tallahassee International Airport, Gainesville Regional Airport, and Bob Sikes Airport. These stations form part of a broader network of more than 30 locations across the U.S., supporting the growth of electric aviation.

Beta’s efforts in building charging networks received a boost from a $20 million federal contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funds will enable the installation of chargers in rural areas, creating a network for emergency preparedness and response.

In addition to its focus on infrastructure, Beta has secured a series of grants and loans to enhance its operations. A $2.6 million grant from Michigan’s AAM Activation Fund will help expand air mobility in the state, while a $169 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States will finance a net-zero production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. The new facility is expected to produce up to 300 EAVs annually.

With orders from companies like UPS, United Therapeutics, and Bristow, along with contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Army, Beta’s eVTOL vehicles are set to revolutionize the landscape of air transportation. The company’s commitment to innovative solutions continues with its partnership with AFWERX, the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm, to advance electric aviation technology.

As Beta pushes forward with its plans for electric air mobility, it aims to reshape urban and regional transportation with its versatile eVTOL solutions, combining efficiency, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.