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Mere weeks after signing an agreement with Utah Aerospace and Defense to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to the state, eVTOL and eCTOL developer BETA Technologies demonstrated the capabilities of its aircraft through a series of successful flights over the course of three days.

BETA Technologies is a fully integrated electric aircraft and systems developer based in Vermont. It’s been three years since the young company debuted its first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the ALIA–250.

That BETA vessel has since been renamed the ALIA VTOL and completed a piloted test flight transitioning mid-air about a year ago. We also got a closer look at its five-passenger interior this past October.

In addition to the ALIA VTOL, BETA has also been developing an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) plane called the ALIA CTOL. It has flown tens of thousands of test miles en route to evaluation flights for FAA certification. As we’ve reported in the past, that aircraft is targeting full approval for commercial operations by 2025.

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BETA has completed its first bonafide production build of the eCTOL in South Burlington. Following a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the production-ready aircraft took to the skies for a test flight last November, piloted by its founder and CEO.

Most recently, BETA signed an agreement with 47G (Utah Aerospace and Defense) to establish AAM operations in the state, to work alongside the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) to identify locations to install multimodal charging infrastructure and identify priority routes for eVTOL and eCTOL rides.

To garner excitement for its technology, BETA recently completed three days’ worth of ALIA eCTOL demonstration flights around Utah to showcase the quiet, efficient mobility potential of its aircraft.

Beta Utah
The ALIA eVTOL above Utah / Source: BETA Technologies

BETA’s eCTOL technology shines above Utah

BETA Technologies shared details of its successful eCTOL flight demonstrations, including the aircraft traveling to six different Utah airports covering over 350 miles. Those visits included Salt Lake City Airport, Provo Airport, Heber City Airport, Logan-Cache Valley Airport, Ogden Airport, and Vernal Airport.

BETA shared that its all-electric flight technology is not only quieter and more sustainable but also cuts the travel distance to those airports by two-thirds compared to relative drive times. 47G and UDOT hosted the flight demonstrations alongside BETA Technologies as the former works to bring commercial operations to the state. Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of UDOT, spoke about BETA’s eCTOL technology and what it means for the future of mobility in Utah:

We move people—and the things they need—using more than just roads. These demonstrations are more than just a technology showcase — they represent a fundamental shift in how we think about mobility. Utah’s population grows and we face increasing demands on our ground transportation system, we know that advanced air mobility offers innovative new solutions to address our evolving mobility needs.

The BETA ALIA can transport up to five passengers at a time or up to 1,250 pounds of cargo. Looking ahead, BETA and its new partners in Utah will align to establish a statewide electric charging network for both aircraft and electric vehicles, create pilot training programs, and develop a model to forecast flight operations.

The agreement with BETA is part of a broader effort from 47G to integrate advanced air mobility into Utah’s transportation sector by the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in Salt Lake City. Chris Metts, 47G Project Alta Executive Director, also spoke:

By integrating cutting-edge electric aircraft into our mobility ecosystem, we are ensuring the highest standards of safety, advancing medical response capabilities and driving technological innovation that will create lasting benefits for communities across the state. Utah is attracting investment, accelerating the development of critical infrastructure and enabling the deployment of aircraft that make our transportation system safe and truly multimodal.

The Utah Department of Transportation posted video footage of the BETA eCTOL flight demonstrations; you can view it below:

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Toyota hints at Tacoma and 4Runner EVs for the US

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Toyota hints at Tacoma and 4Runner EVs for the US

The electric Tacoma and 4Runner may not be a pipe dream after all. Toyota is hinting that EV versions of the popular pickup and SUV could be coming to the US.

Is Toyota launching Tacoma and 4Runner EVs?

Toyota took the spotlight this week in Brussels, unveiling three new electric SUVs set to arrive in Europe by the end of the year.

Although the event was heavily focused on its European lineup, we are learning a little more about what to expect in the US.

For one, Toyota unveiled the new bZ4X. In its first major refresh since launching in 2022, the electric SUV now has more range, faster charging, dedicated EV features, and a new look inside and out.

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Although US specs were not revealed, the new Toyota bZ4X has a bigger 73.1 kWh battery, providing up to 573 km (356 miles) WLTP driving range. On the EPA rating system, it’s expected to see around 270 to 280 miles range, up from 252 miles in the 2025 bZ4X.

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Toyota’s new bZ4X AWD model (Source: Toyota)

During the event, Toyota’s chief branding officer, Simon Humphries, stressed the company’s focus on creating “ever-better” cars specifically tailored to buyers in the region.

In Europe, Toyota is launching the new bZ4X, C-HR+, and Land Cruiser electric SUVs. In China, Toyota offers the bZ4X, bZ3C, and recently introduced bZ3X, all dedicated EVs.

Toyota-new-bZ4X-C-HR+-Urban-Cruiser-EVs
From left to right: Toyota’s new C-HR+, bZ4X, and Urban Cruiser electric SUVs (Source: Toyota Europe)

Toyota only offers the bZ4X in the US outside its luxury Lexus brand, which sells the RZ. That is about to change soon.

The Japanese auto giant invested over $2 billion to build its first three-row electric SUV at its Kentucky manufacturing plant. The larger SUV will go into production in the first half of 2026.

Humphries hinted at a few new EVs we could see from Toyota over the next few years, saying there’s “unbridled opportunities for recreation in America, with the Tacoma and 4Runner.”

Toyota-Tacoma-4Runner-EVs
Toyota teases new electric pickup, SUV, and crossover alongside the new bZ4X, C-HR+, and Land Cruiser launching in Europe by 2026 (Source: Toyota)

Toyota teased a new electric pickup and SUV that will launch in Europe next year as it expands its EV lineup. With the company reportedly dropping the “bZ” naming system, an electric Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner look more and more likely.

Last year, the Tacoma was Toyota’s top-selling pickup in the US, with over 192,000 units sold. The 4Runner was its third best-selling SUV (92,100), behind the RAV4 (475,200) and Corolla Cross (93,000). Fully electric versions could finally help charge up Toyota’s EV sales in the US.

How do you feel about an electric Tacoma pickup or 4Runner SUV? Would you buy one?

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Elon Musk is giving Trump another $100 million just after the President did an ad for Tesla

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Elon Musk is giving Trump another 0 million just after the President did an ad for Tesla

Elon Musk is reportedly giving Trump another $100 million just after the President did an ad for Tesla at the White House.

During the last election cycle, Musk contributed more than $250 million to Trump’s campaign through donations to political action committees (PACs).

Trump has won, but he still needs money.

While he can’t seek reelection, the mid-term and Congress/Senate elections are coming. The GOP is looking to increase its control over the House and Senate. Furthermore, Trump doesn’t have the full support of the GOP, and Musk has made clear that he plans to invest money in the primaries against any GOP members who don’t support Trump.

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Now, Axios and NYT report that Musk told the White House that he plans to contribute another $100 million in political donations to Trump and his PACs.

The news comes just a day after President Trump held a literal infomercial for Tesla, a company controlled by Musk, at the White House.

It raises concerns about the ad being a quid pro quo between Musk and Trump.

The publicity stunt also happened after Tesla’s stock crashed 15% the day before and 50% since its peak achieved in December.

Tesla’s stock price is important for Musk. It is his main source of wealth, and he often uses loans against the stock to finance his lifestyle and sometimes invest in other companies.

Electrek’s Take

It’s hard not to see that as a quid pro quo since Trump’s entire personality is about “making deals,” and he hasn’t been shy about asking for political contributions in exchange for favors before.

To me, it looks like Elon is panicking.

Tesla’s US sales amid protests against the company over Elon’s political involvement are likely badly affected, and this is his solution: to intertwin Tesla’s brand even further with the most controversial US President in modern history.

It’s so dumb. I am sure that Trump can help encourage a few people buy Tesla vehicles, but long term, this will hurt the brand even more.

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BYD sub-brand Yangwang to launch ultra-luxe U7 sedan on March 27 with tons of new tech

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BYD sub-brand Yangwang to launch ultra-luxe U7 sedan on March 27 with tons of new tech

Yangwang is gearing up to officially launch its long-teased U7 sedan—a third flagship model for BYD’s high-end performance sub-brand. When it hits the market in China later this month, the U7 promises competitive luxury and “groundbreaking technology.”

Yangwang, which directly translates to “looking up” or “admire” is a young luxury brand under the BYD umbrella introduced in 2023. The marque turned some heads out of the gate at that year’s Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled the U8 SUV, which can go amphibious in emergencies and crabwalk.

At that same event, the automaker showcased its new intelligent body control system, DiSus, and the unique usage of BYD’s proprietary individual wheel drive (IWD) technology platform, “e4.” Yangwang has followed up with a 1,200 horsepower electric supercar called the U9, which has hit the markets in China alongside the U8.

In early 2024, Yangwang unveiled its first sedan, the U7, to complete an initial trio of flagship models. Since then, we have covered several updates, including what appeared to be leaked performance specs detailing over 1,300 horsepower and over 500 miles of range.

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The U7 hit showrooms in China last summer followed by a start of pre-orders in November, although pricing was not available at the time. We have since learned that the Yangwang U7 will start at a price of RMB 1 million ($138,000) and will come in BEV and PHEV variants.

Today, we learned when and where we will learn all the confirmed specs and pricing in regard to the Yangwang U7 – which will be on March 27 in Shenzen, home to BYD’s headquarters.

Yangwang U7
Source: Yangwang/Weibo

Yangwang U7 can remain stable if rear-ended at 100 km/h

Yangwang shared the launch event image seen above on its Weibo page today, detailing that the public will learn all there is to know about the sedan on March 27 at 7:30 PM Beijing time (7:30 AM EDT). Per its post, Yangwang is promising the U7 will hit the market with “groundbreaking technologies,” some of which it showcased in separate posts on the Chinese social media platform.

For example, Yangwang shared its new DiSus-Z technology, based on the DiSus body control system mentioned above. This will be the most high-end and best-performing version of the system, joining an intelligent vibration-damping body control system called DiSus-C, an intelligent air body control system called DiSus-A, and an intelligent hydraulic body control system called DiSus-P.

According to the post, DiSus-Z has completed research, development, and testing and is set to debut on the new sedan. Yangwang also teased some safety capabilities of the new U7, sharing that the sedan can get rear-ended while driving 100 km/h (62 mph) and remain in control without spinning out. Check out the brand’s Weibo for a video demonstration. Additionally, the U7 can still drive steadily after blowing out two tires on the same side while driving 160 km/h (99 mph).

According to previous statements by Yangwang, the BEV version of the U7 will feature a 135.5 kWh battery pack powered by BYD Blade batteries exclusive to the sedan, capable of delivering 720 km (447 miles) of CLTC range. Those performance specs and several other details should be confirmed on March 27 in Shenzen. We will provide a full recap once we learn more.

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