Beta Technologies Doubles Electric Aircraft Charging Network in 2024
Electric chargers are designed to accommodate any variety of electric aircraft, as well as electric ground vehicles.
Beta’s charging systems can support its own electric aircraft design, as well as those of its competitors. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]
As of February 2024, there were an estimated 61,000 publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers in the U.S., most of which are owned by Tesla. The infrastructure for electric aircraft—several of which are in development—is far less robust.
But it’s growing fast, according to manufacturer Beta Technologies.
As one of the few companies building electric aircraft chargers, Beta—which is also developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft—is aiming to be the Tesla of electric aviation. The company on Tuesday said it more than doubled its charging network in 2024, installing systems at 30 new sites.
According to Beta, the network now comprises 46 sites across 22 states, with a further 23 sites in development nationwide.
“From the outset, we had this idea of creating chargers that could support the entire industry, and over the course of the past year, we’ve seen that idea really begin to find traction,” said Nate Ward, who leads Beta’s charge network unit.
Like electric ground vehicles before them, electric aircraft contend with a major challenge: a lack of infrastructure. Seeing an opportunity, Beta designed charging systems that are intended to support any electric aircraft, air or ground, including those of its competitors.
One of those rival manufacturers, Archer Aviation, agreed to purchase and install Beta chargers for its Midnight electric air taxi. Other customers include the U.S. Air Force, FBO operators Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation, and the state of Michigan, which in July awarded Beta a $2.6 million grant.
The chargers, which include a stationary system and a mobile MiniCube, are designed to the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) used for electric ground vehicles and endorsed by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). While Archer and a few others have indicated they are on board with the CCS, one competitor, Joby Aviation, has committed to deploying its own charging system.
So far, though, Beta dwarfs Joby’s coverage, with chargers online from California to Florida to New York. Most of its locations are concentrated on the East Coast, but the goal is to continue working with airports, states, OEMs, and FBOs to add more sites in the U.S. The manufacturer also revealed its plans to expand the network outside the U.S.
Beta has already flown its all-electric Alia CTOL cross-country, stopping at charging stations along the way. But the objective is for the network to be operational in time for the aircraft’s anticipated 2025 commercial rollout, with the Alia VTOL following in 2026. The company has operating partnerships with Canada’s Helijet and Air New Zealand, which could make those countries candidates for an international expansion.
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