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Watch BETA Technologies’ electric aircraft fly into NYC with passengers onboard [Video]
Electric aircraft developer BETA Technologies recently hit a notable milestone today when its ALIA CTOL plane completed its first demonstration flight with passengers onboard. The electric aircraft traveled 45 minutes before landing safely at JFK International Airport in NYC. Check out the full video from BETA below.
BETA Technologies is a fully integrated electric aircraft and systems developer based in Vermont. It’s now been four years since the company debuted its first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the ALIA–250, which has since been renamed 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 this year.
Following a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the production-ready CTOL aircraft took to the skies for a test flight last November, piloted by BETA founder and CEO, Kyle Clark. Earlier this year, BETA flew an electric aircraft coast-to-coast from NYC to Los Angeles.s
After BETA signed an agreement with 47G (Utah Aerospace and Defense) to establish advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in the state, it completed a demonstration flight route spanning 350 miles and six airports around Utah.
Today, BETA announced an even more important milestone, completing an all-electric flight in the ALIA CTOL aircraft into NYC with actual passengers onboard.
BETA’s CTOL electric aircraft lands in NYC with passengers
Per BETA Technologies, the successful demonstration flight took place in NYC this morning, assisted by a partnership between the electric aircraft developer and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
This was a historic flight for the young aerospace company as it was the first time its ALIA CTOL aircraft was operated with passengers onboard. The NYC-bound electric aircraft transported a pilot and four passengers, including Republic Airways President Matt Koscal and Blade Air Mobility CEO Rob Wiesenthal (pictured above).
The executives took a 45-minute, all-electric flight together aboard the ALIA CTOL aircraft from Long Island into NYC, landing safely at JFK Airport. Wiesenthal spoke about his experience onboard:
This electric aircraft flight from Long Island to New York City highlights that quiet and emission-free flight is quickly becoming a reality benefiting Blade’s fliers, local residents, and other key stakeholders. I can think of no better way to demonstrate our company’s commitment to quiet, electric aircraft commercialization than my participation on this flight as a passenger myself.
BETA pointed out that today’s milestone of electric aircraft travel with passengers onboard in NYC is the culmination of six years of rigorous testing and development. It also offers an exciting glimpse into the future of sustainable travel as BETA moves ever-closer to commercial operations in the United States. BETA founder and CEO Kyle Clark also spoke about the company’s progress:
Flying our electric aircraft into one of the world’s busiest airports, with passengers, proves advanced air mobility is not some future concept, it’s here. Today’s flight is about more than technology; it’s about innovation and connecting communities in safer, quieter, and more efficient ways. After years of rigorous safety testing in all types of environments, we’re proud to stand here with the Port Authority and the city of New York to demonstrate exactly how this aircraft can serve cities by easing congestion, reducing emissions, and increasing accessibility.
The ALIA CTOL is the first AAM aircraft to obtain a market survey certificate from the FAA, enabling BETA Technologies to conduct demonstration flights under specific safety standards before being awarded full FAA certification for commercial operations.
Aside from BETA’s milestone in NYC, fellow electric aircraft developer Archer shared similar news earlier this week, beginning demonstration flights with a pilot onboard. Could we see commercial air taxi operations in the US by 2026?
Check out BETA’s video footage of today’s NYC flight below:
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Environment
BYD Yangwang launches ultra-swanky U8L SUV with 24k gold emblems (don’t worry, this one floats too)
BYD’s ultra-luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, launched its fourth all-electric model in China, and it’s another design marvel. Like its U8 predecessor, the Yangwang U8L SUV has “Emergency Float Mode.” Plus, this one can tank turn, is powered by four motors, and has 24-karat emblems. Check out one of the most expensive new BEVs in China.
Yangwang, which directly translates to “looking up” or “admire,” is an ultra-premium brand under the BYD umbrella introduced in 2023. The luxury-centric marque turned some heads out of the gate at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled the U8 SUV, which can go amphibious in emergencies and crabwalk.
Since then, Yangwang has followed up with a 1,200-horsepower electric supercar called the U9, hands down the most beautiful vehicle I saw during my visit to the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show.
In early 2024, Yangwang unveiled its first sedan, the 500-mile range U7, to complete an initial trio of flagship models. By August, we learned Yangwang was hard at work on a fourth model – a third-row variant of the U8 SUV called the U8L – which promised to be longer and even more luxurious.
Today, Yangwang officially launched the U8L in China, beginning in a single “Dingshi Edition” trim that starts at RMB 1.28 million ($179,800) – debuting as one of the most expensive models amongst all Chinese automakers.
Yangwang U8L offers Rolls-Royce-style luxury
Today’s launch marks Yangwang’s deeper push into the luxury SUV market in China, looking to compete against brands like Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. Yangwang’s new U8L takes the U8 to another level, offering more space and other comforts.
For example, the Yangwang U8 measures 5,319 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, and 1,930 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. In comparison, the new U8L measures 5,400 mm long, 2,049 mm wide, and 1,921 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm.
The longer length and wheelbase allow for a new third row atop BYD’s e4 platform, which also houses four electric motors. That powertrain configuration combines for 880 kW (1,180 horsepower) and peak torque of 1,280 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Not bad for an SUV.
Per Yangwang, the U8L also comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-P body control system—the Chinese automaker’s most advanced version, enabling premium comfort and stability on any terrain. The U8L also features BYD’s most advanced ADAS, “God’s Eye A.” In the images above, multiple sensors are visible above the windshield.
Other features include emergency flotation mode, blown tire stability, tank turns, and a crabwalk. Plus, fully reclining seats, window privacy curtains, and a rear storage fridge for your Cristal. Due to its size, the Yangwang U8L’s all-electric CLTC range is only 200 km (124 miles), but it features a hybrid range extender that boosts its overall range to 1,160 km (700 miles).
What do you think about this SUV?
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The bZ7 is about the size of a Tesla Model S and way nicer than you’d expect. Toyota’s new flagship EV is not only stunning-looking, it’s also loaded with advanced tech.
Meet the bZ7, Toyota’s new flagship EV
Toyota’s joint venture in China, GAC-Toyota, unveiled official images of the bZ7 this week, its new flagship all-electric sedan.
The bZ7 is 5,130 mm long, which is slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L. Although it has Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front end design, like the new Camry and Crown, the flagship EV is a big step up from the Toyota vehicles we see on the road today.
Toyota said its new EV has “a luxurious and elegant figure,” and we’d have to agree. From the side, it has a sleek, fastback design that blends sporty and elegant. The long, triangular side windows open up the interior.
The bZ7 is also Toyota’s most advanced EV yet. It will be the first vehicle to feature Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, which unlocks new functions such as controlling smart home appliances directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system or your smartphone.
Forgot to set the air? Xiaomi’s smart tech allows you to control it on the go. During its tech day event in June, Toyota announced new partnerships with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei, or what it called the “car industry bigwigs,” for the latest tech and software.
The bZ7 has a Lidar installed on the roof, which will be used to support Momenta’s latest smart driving system, Momenta 6.0. It’s expected to be offered on higher trim options.
On the inside, the cabin is a step change from most Toyota models with a minimalist, elegant layout. It features a floating central touchscreen, a driver display screen, and a wireless phone charger.
Toyota’s flagship EV will also use Huawei’s electric motors and its new HarmonyOS cockpit system. According to Li Hui, the General Manager of Toyota China, “To deliver cars that people want in China, we need Chinese brains and hands involved in development.
We will learn prices, battery specs, and range closer to the bZ7’s official debut, which is expected later this year. Toyota’s new flagship EV will join the bZ3X and bZ4X as it fights for its spot in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from British bike maker Boost, Dahon launching an IPO, the NYPD may soon confiscate non UL-certified e-bikes, Honda has a new e-motorcycle coming, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
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.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):
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