Author: Matthew O’Connor

GAC Group’s low-altitude mobility brand Govy has produced the first unit of its AirCab flying car at a new manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, marking the start of the aircraft’s transition toward commercial production. The milestone was reached at Govy’s production site in Guangzhou’s Huangpu District, where the company has established manufacturing operations for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Production Facility Begins Operations According to Govy, the new facility includes manufacturing capabilities covering component assembly, final vehicle integration and product delivery. The plant has a planned annual production capacity of 100 aircraft. The company said the rollout of…

Vertical Aerospace has announced two major milestones in its electric aviation programme, including the start of integration testing for its next-generation hybrid-electric propulsion system and production of the first all-electric Valo battery from its upgraded manufacturing line. The company said the developments support both its all-electric Valo aircraft programme and future hybrid-electric aircraft variants aimed at expanding operational range and mission flexibility. “Hybrid capability complements our all-electric Valo platform and unlocks a broader range of civil and defence applications,” said Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive of Vertical Aerospace. “At the same time, advancing our battery technology and manufacturing capability is critical…

Vertical Aerospace has signed a long-term partnership with Hyundai WIA to develop and manufacture the landing gear system for Valo, Vertical’s electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Under the agreement, Hyundai WIA will take responsibility for the complete design and production of a bespoke landing gear system for the Valo eVTOL aircraft. Stirling Dynamics will support Hyundai WIA as a key design partner. The UK-based engineering company has more than three decades of experience supporting certified aircraft programmes. Vertical Aerospace said Hyundai WIA’s lightweight and technically mature landing gear solution, combined with its manufacturing expertise, strengthens the industrial foundation supporting…

The Council of the European Union has formally adopted revised rules on CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, following earlier approval by the European Parliament, clearing the way for the regulation to enter into force after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. The amendment modifies how emission reduction targets are applied in the years leading up to 2030, introducing a more flexible framework for truck manufacturers while keeping existing long-term climate goals unchanged. Under current EU law, emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles must be reduced by 15% by 2025, 45% by 2030, 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2040, compared…

Hyundai Motor has launched South America’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck fleet in Uruguay, deploying its Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell vehicles to support low-carbon timber logistics as part of a broader push to develop green hydrogen infrastructure. The deployment includes six trucks for regular operations and two additional units for backup and potential expansion. The vehicles will be used in forestry logistics, with the main fleet expected to cover nearly one million kilometres annually, according to the company. Hyundai said the initiative represents “South America’s first-ever fleet operation of hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks,” marking a milestone for zero-emission…

The German-funded H2Sky initiative has concluded with the development of a fuel cell stack tailored for aviation applications, marking progress toward hydrogen-powered flight, although commercial deployment remains years away. The project, launched in 2022 under Germany’s National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, received approximately €26.5 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. According to the ministry, H2Sky is among the country’s largest research efforts focused on hydrogen-based propulsion for aviation. At its core, the project developed fuel cell stacks with outputs ranging from 100 to 200 kW, designed to power electric motors for…

The UK government has announced a new round of funding worth £73.2 million (approximately €84.7 million) under its Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme to support the deployment of 484 electric buses across ten regions in England. The Department for Transport said the public funding will be supplemented by around £94 million (€109 million) in private investment, with the combined resources aimed at accelerating the transition to zero-emission public transport and expanding regional charging infrastructure. See also: Sheffield Secures Funding for 186 Electric Buses Under UK Programme South Yorkshire, particularly the city of Sheffield, will receive the largest share…

Aridge, the flying car division of Xpeng, has raised nearly $200 million in a new equity funding round, as it moves closer to mass production of its aerial mobility vehicles. The latest round saw continued backing from GL Ventures and HongShan Capital, alongside new participation from Gaorong Ventures and Fortune Capital. The transaction brings Aridge’s total historical equity financing to approximately $1 billion, making it one of the most heavily funded startups in Asia’s crewed low-altitude aviation sector, according to a company statement. See also: Xpeng’s Aridge Steps Up Marketing Push Ahead of Flying Car Production Plans The fresh capital…

Archer Aviation has filed counterclaims against rival Joby Aviation, alleging the company misrepresented itself as an American-made manufacturer while relying on Chinese supply chains. The counterclaim, filed Monday in federal court, is part of an ongoing legal dispute between the two companies developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs. Archer alleges that Joby sourced key aircraft components through a Chinese manufacturing subsidiary and suppliers connected to the Chinese government. According to the filing, Archer claims Joby attempted to conceal these ties by misclassifying shipments of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as consumer goods in customs documentation. Joby rejected the allegations.…

A new research initiative involving Airbus and several German research institutions aims to develop a scalable hydrogen fuel cell system for regional aircraft carrying up to 100 passengers. The project, called GENtwoPRO, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under the country’s aviation research program LuFo VII-1 through the Climate and Transformation Fund. Participants in the initiative include the PEM Chair at RWTH Aachen University, German Aerospace Center, fuel cell company Aerostack, and technology partners such as TLK-Thermo and Technical University of Braunschweig. The project forms part of Airbus’ broader efforts to explore hydrogen-powered aviation…

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved eight pilot projects aimed at accelerating testing of electric air taxi technologies in the United States, allowing developers to conduct operational trials ahead of full aircraft certification. The initiative, called the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program, will allow companies such as Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies and Joby Aviation to begin expanded testing of their electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft this summer. The program is overseen by the FAA, which reports to the US Department of Transportation. The initiative is intended to enable companies to test…

Archer Aviation said it will integrate SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system into its Midnight electric air taxis, marking Starlink’s entry into the emerging urban air mobility sector. Under the agreement, Archer will install Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) connectivity hardware on its piloted Midnight aircraft and conduct flight testing. The system is intended to provide high-speed, low-latency communications during air taxi operations. See also: Archer Unveils Plans for Miami Electric Air Taxi Network With Real Estate Partners Midnight is designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than conventional helicopters. The aircraft incorporates multiple redundant systems, including…