Light eVTOL developer Opener has announced a unique testing program as it looks to achieve market certification and commercialization of its BlackFly aircraft. The company unveiled an Early Access Program today in which a dozen early eVTOL customers will not only get to experience Opener’s training and aerial technology first hand, but will report back about their entire customer experience.
Opener is Palo Alto, California-based eVTOL developer that began as a mere concept by founder Marcus Leng in 2009. By 2011, Leng was completing his first flight with a proof-of-concept personal aircraft in his own front yard in Canada.
For the past decade, Opener has been developing is flagship commercial eVTOL, called BlackFly. During that time, Opener developed and tested various versions of BlackFly, but the company didn’t catch our attention until 2018, when it performed a flight with a pre-production eVTOL.
Aside from looking a bit different from other eVTOLs we cover, BlackFly also has a unique tilt architecture where the eVTOL goes almost completely vertical (you can see it in the video below). With hundreds of billions of flight data points collected and several human-operated flights under its belt, Opener is starting BlackFly deliveries… but only to a very exclusive few that will need to be properly trained and share their experience.
The company’s first customer recently took delivery and was overjoyed during his first flight – have a look.
Opener early adopter and first customer Tim Lum, testing the eVTOL himself / Credit: Opener
Have what it takes for Opener’s early eVTOL access?
Per Opener, it is beginning an Early Access Program (EAP) that will enable the first dozen BlackFly eVTOL customers to take to the skies… as long as they share feedback with the company of course. Per Opener CEO Ken Karklin:
We have a sound and novel aircraft design. Opener’s EAP establishes a two-way communication channel to inform how we address customer concerns, refine features, and optimize the overall user experience. Our close partnership with early adopters is a huge step toward moving us closer to general release and fulfilling the promise of personal aerial freedom.
Since BlackFly was designed as a light eVTOL aircraft that complies with the FAA’s Part 103 (Ultralight) category, no pilot license is required to take one for a ride. That being said, Opener relayed that it requires any and all eVTOL pilots undergo comprehensive flight training.
During the announcement, Opener introduced us to its very first BlackFly customer and early adopter Tim Lum, who recently completed his first flight documented by the company. He shared his initial thoughts as well:
Flight in a BlackFly is amazing. Even though I’ve been in and around aircraft for years, this is my first time as an official VTOL pilot. And the connection with my BlackFly goes well beyond the aircraft itself. It’s all the things that Opener does to assist me — from extensive flight training to delivery and ongoing support. The level of hands-on service is off the charts.
No word on official pricing or commercial production yet. It appears the EAP is Opener’s focus right now as it fine tunes its near-production aircraft.
Opener says the public is welcome to register interest in the Early Access Program, but limited opportunities are available. According to the program’s dedicated page, it looks like only 12 slots are up for grabs, 11 if you count Mr. Lum. That page also has the video of Lum’s experience you’ve got to see. Here’s a separate video of the BlackFly taking off and flying so you can get an idea of how it looks and functions before you obviously sign up to be a test pilot.
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Lease deals get all the hype, but most people still want to own the car after they’re done making all those payments on it. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been waiting for the interest rates on auto loans to drop, you’re in luck: there are a bunch of great plug-in cars you can buy with 0% financing this March … and that includes a zero percent Tesla deal!
UPDATE: some American icons return to the list, and we’ve got more bonus cash offers, too!
I’ve done a couple of these now, so you probably already know that there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best EVs ..?” Too opinion based. “Cheapest EVs ..?” Too much research. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. And, as for which deals are new this month? You’re just gonna have to read the article. Enjoy!
Acura ZDX
2024 Acura ZDX; via Acura.
The 2024 Acura ZDX uses a GM Ultium battery and drive motors, but the styling, interior, and infotainment software are all Honda. That means you’ll get a solidly-built EV with GM levels of parts support and Honda levels of fit, finish, and quality control. All that plus Apple CarPlay and 0% financing for up to 72 months makes the ZDX one the best sporty crossover deals in the business.
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All the electric Chevy EVs (again)
Silverado EV, Equinox EV, and Blazer EV at a Tesla Supercharger; via GM.
As the auto industry transitions to electric, Dodge is hoping that at least a few muscle car enthusiasts with extra cash, will find their way to a Dodge store and ask for the meanest, loudest, tire-shreddingest thing on the lot.
These days, that’s the new electric Charger – and you still owed money on the Hemi you just totaled, Dodge will help get the deal done on its latest retrotastic ride with a $3,000 rebate plus 0% financing for up to 72 months!
Ford Mustang Mach-E
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze edition; via Ford.
This month, you can get a killer deal on a new 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E (shown, above). Through March 31st, you can get $2,500 in bonus cash, a free L2 home charger installed, plus 0% financing for up to 72 months. Tesla owners can also get an additional $1,000 in conquest cash, bringing the hood money total to $3,500.
The biggest Ultium-based EVs from GM’s commercial truck brand are seriously impressive machines, with shockingly quick acceleration and on-road handling that seems to defy the laws of physics once you understand that these are, essentially, medium-duty trucks. This month, GMC is doing its best to move out its existing inventory of 2024s, so if you’re a fan of heavy metal you’ll definitely want to stop by your local GMC dealer and give the Hummer EV and Sierra Denali EV a test drive.
Honda Prologue
2024 Honda Prologue; via Honda.
Despite the Honda Prologue was one of the top-selling electric crossovers last year by combining GM’s excellent Ultium platform with Honda sensibilities and Apple CarPlay, Honda upgraded the 2025 model with slightly more EPA range. Even so, there’s still some remaining 2024 inventory out there and dealers are ready to deal (that’s what they do, after all). To make room for the 2025 models, Honda is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months on the remaining 2024s.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
IONIQ 5 record-setting performance; via Hyundai.
Hyundai is still offering 0% financing for 60 months on all versions of the hot-selling 2024 IONIQ 5 crossover, making it hard to overlook in the five-passenger segment. It’s worth noting that Hyundai is also offering the 5 with $7,500 bonus cash in select markets, but that offer can’t be stacked with the 0%, so do some math before deciding which way you want to go.
The Niro’s bigger siblings are getting the 0% treatment, too, for a longer 72 month term.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV; via Mitsubishi.
One of the first three-row plugin cars to hit the market (and a frequent addition to these 0% lists), Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV offers up to 38 miles of electric range from its 20 kWh li-ion battery, making it a great “lily pad” vehicle for suburban families who want to drive electric but still worry about being able to find a charging station when they need one.
Nissan Ariya
2024 Nissan Ariya; via Nissan.
I’ve already said that the Nissan Ariya didn’t get a fair shake. If you click that link, you’ll read about a car that offers solid driving dynamics, innovative interior design, and all the practicality that makes five-passenger crossovers the must-haves they’ve become for most families. With great discounts available at participating dealers, Supercharger access, and 0% interest from Nissan for up to 72 months, Nissan dealers should have no trouble finding homes for their remaining 2024 Ariya crossovers.
Subaru Soltera
2023 Subaru Soltera; via Subaru.
Despite being something of a slow seller, this mechanical twin of the Toyota bZ4X EV seems like a solid mid-size electric crossover with some outdoorsy vibes and granola style that offers more than enough utility to carry your mountain bikes to the trail or your kayaks to the river. The company is hoping to help clear out its remaining 2024 models with big discounts and 0% financing for up to 72 months.
Tesla Model 3
Model 3 Highland; via Tesla.
Say what you will about Elon Musk – and I say plenty over on the Quick Charge podcast – the fact remains that we wouldn’t be here talking about EVs at all if it wasn’t for his marketing brilliance, bravado, and sheer force of will. Beyond that, Tesla simply offers as superior ownership experience through total software integration, unfettered access to the Supercharger network, and the best EV route-planning software this side of Chargeway.
If you can stomach being associated with Elon (or have an inside line on some spare Honda badges), you can get a new Model 3 for 0% interest or 0.99% with $0 down if you apply the $7,500 Federal tax incentive at the point of purchase.
Volkswagen ID.4
VW ID.4; via Volkswagen.
One of the most popular legacy EVs, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. To keep ID.4 sales rolling, VW dealers are getting aggressive with discounts, making this fast-charging, 291 mile EPA-rated range, 5-star safety rated EV a value proposition that’s tough to beat.
This month, get a Volkswagen ID.4 with 0% financing for up to 72 months plus a $5,000 customer cash bonus to stack with it.
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 09MAR2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
FedEx electric delivery vehicle; via Workhorse.
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.