EHang's founder, chairman, and CEO Huazhi Hu has launched a defense against a negative report published this week by short-seller Hindenburg Research, which accused it of reporting false information about sales of its EH216-S eVTOL aircraft. The company confirmed to AIN that initial operations will be limited to sightseeing flights that it may operate itself and that its production order backlog stands at around 100 units.

Archer Aviation is accelerating the adoption of electric aircraft charging infrastructure developed by rival eVTOL manufacturer Beta Technologies with the purchase of several of Beta's multimodal chargers. Beta says it has delivered two mobile fast chargers to Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, California, where Archer is conducting a flight test campaign with its four-passenger Midnight eVTOL air taxi. Both Archer and Beta are developing electric air taxis that are expected to be certified and in service by 2025. 

The four-passenger eVTOL aircraft will feature Garmin’s G3000 integrated flight deck for the vehicle’s avionics suite, flight control actuators from Liebherr-Aerospace, and Intergalactic's thermal management system. This week, Eve also issued a financial report on its third-quarter balance sheet, confirming that spending on research and development has increased significantly.

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As Volocopter prepares to launch commercial air taxi services with its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft at the Paris Olympics next year, the German startup has been showing off its 2X prototype in a series of flight demonstrations across the U.S. this fall as it seeks to expand into international markets. 

Amprius says it has signed deals with three aerospace developers for the purchase of its next-generation lithium-ion battery cells, which pack an ultra-high-energy density of 450 Wh/kg. The California-based battery developer did not disclose the identity of its customers or the volume of the new orders, saying only that it will be delivering custom battery cells to three “premier electric aviation manufacturers.” 

To prepare for the impending arrival of new advanced air mobility vehicles such as electric air taxis and cargo drones, Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) is teaming up with Urban-Air Port to bring vertiport infrastructure to airports around the world. Urban-Air Port is a British start-up developing space-saving vertiport facilities consisting of vertically stacked hangar modules.

Following its recent landmark order for 100 of Aerofugia's AE200 eVTOL aircraft, business aircraft management and charter group Sino Jet is preparing to add the five-passenger vehicles to its fleet in 2026. The Chinese company's president, Jenny Lau, is looking to capitalize on the government's strategy for stimulating the country's so-called low-altitude economy with plans that are set to shake up how people move in and around key hubs, including the Greater Hong Kong region.

Scotland wants better passenger and freight transportation for its Highlands and Islands region, and a report by Hybrid Air Vehicles says this could be delivered with its 100-passenger Airlander 10 helium-filled airship while also contributing to the country's net zero carbon goal for 2040. The new report was backed by Highlands and Islands Airports, the Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, regional carrier Loganair, Highland and Islands Enterprise, and infrastructure consulting group Aecom.

Spain's Crisalion will unveil its Integrity eVTOL aircraft at the Dubai Airshow next week; Fototerra plans to use Moya's autonomous eVTOL for aerial surveys; SkyDrive and Kansai Power have developed electric recharging equipment; Republic Airways is advising Aura Aero on its ERA hybrid-electric airliner; and Bellwether shows off its Oryx personal eVTOL vehicle.

Rotor Technologies has completed an extensive flight campaign with its experimental R220Y autonomous helicopters. This initiative, according to Rotor, represents the first time a full-scale civilian helicopter has been flown autonomously. The R220Y helicopters, which are based on the Robinson R22, are equipped with Rotor’s advanced automation technology, allowing all flight operations to be conducted without onboard human intervention. The two R220Y helicopters completed more than 20 hours of autonomous flight—along with over 80 hours of engine operation—throughout the campaign.