Zero-emission aviation developer Universal Hydrogen has shared video footage of its 40+ passenger hydrogen fuel cell plane testing ground handing ahead of its first-ever flight. The video comes with bigger news that the company has received an experimental airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take flight. When it does, it is expected to become the largest hydrogen electric powered aircraft to ever do so.
Universal Hydrogen Co. is a Southern California-based aviation company founded in 2020 by engineers with the mission of bringing zero emission hydrogen electric powered aviation to reality. Following two milestones today, the young aviation company is closer than ever.
Universal Hydrogen’s first product was a conversion kit for the ATR 72-600 – a regional airliner that can transport 44-78 passengers with traditional fuel engines. The company notes that it expects that kit to be certified and in commercial passenger service by 2025.
Meanwhile, the aviation developer has been working on a second aircraft that resembles the ATR’s configuration, utilizing a a megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell powertrain installed in one of its nacelles.
The company calls this aircraft the Dash-300 flying testbed. With its capability to eventually transport over 40 passengers using hydrogen fuel cells and electric powertrains, it could soon be the largest of its kind to ever take to the skies. Following its recent news of FAA Certification, we expect to see its maiden flight occur before the end of Q1. Check out the video below.
The Dash-300 flying testbed / Credit: Universal Hydrogen
Universal Hydrogen completes taxi test ahead of first flight
This morning, Universal Hydrogen shared news that it has been granted a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category by the FAA.
The first flight of the Dash 8-300 flying testbed will take place at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington and if successful, will award Universal Hydrogen as the largest hydrogen fuel cell-powered airplane to take flight and the second hydrogen-powered aircraft ever. The Soviet Union completed a flight test in 1988 using a Tupolev Tu-155 airliner that had one of its jet engines converted to burn hydrogen.
What’s unique about Universal Hydrogen’s technology in the Dash-300 is that its powertrain does not utilize a hybrid battery architecture. Instead, all of the power to propel the aircraft is transmitted directly from the fuel cells to the electric motor. The company states this design significantly decreases both weight and lifecycle cost. Founder and CEO Paul Eremenko spoke to today’s news:
We are simultaneously providing a pragmatic, near-term solution for hydrogen infrastructure and delivery, as well as for converting existing passenger aircraft to use this lightweight, safe, and true-zero-emissions fuel. Today’s milestones are essential, important steps to putting the industry on a trajectory to meet Paris Agreement obligations. The only alternative is curtailing aviation traffic growth to curb emissions.
In anticipation of its first flight with the Dash-300, Universal Hydrogen recently completed its first taxi tests to evaluate the aircraft’s ground handling and performance at low speeds. You can see video footage of that below. Next, we are looking forward to the regional aircraft’s maiden flight and will report back when that takes place in the coming months.
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
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After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
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The new electric Mercedes CLA (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
July EV sales looked strong on the surface, but the looming impact of tariffs and the end of EV tax credits reveal a more complicated picture, according to Cars.com’s new Industry Insights report.
New-vehicle sales jumped 6.6% year-over-year, even as dealer inventory fell for the first time since 2022. Much of the spike came from a “buy now” mindset as shoppers raced to lock in deals before tariffs and policy changes drive prices higher. For EVs in particular, the looming end of the federal $7,500 tax credit on September 30 added another layer of urgency.
EV inventory growth is slowing – for now
Shoppers technically have more EV options than ever, with 75 models on the market – a 27% jump from last year. But new EV inventory growth has slowed to just 9% year-over-year, the lowest since before the Inflation Reduction Act revived federal incentives. Analysts expect another wave of buying before the tax credit vanishes, but after that, higher prices could cool demand, especially with most new EVs still priced in the premium-to-luxury bracket.
Tariffs set to push prices higher
Automakers absorbed an estimated $12 billion in tariff costs in the second quarter alone to keep sticker prices steady. That’s not sustainable, and once those costs flow into 2026 models, EV buyers could be facing thousands more on the same car.
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At current 25% tariff levels, the average new-vehicle price could jump from $48,000 to $54,400 – about $6,400 more. Even if trade deals trim tariffs to 15%, buyers would still see increases of more than $4,000. That’s a huge gap compared to household incomes, which grew only 1% last year.
The used EV market is heating up
While new EV prices are bracing for impact, the used EV market is gaining momentum. Inventory is up 33% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2% to $36,000. Affordable used EVs under $25,000 – including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt EV – are selling 20% faster than average. Many also qualify for the $4,000 used-EV tax credit, which, like the new EV credit, ends September 30.
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