Earlier this month, residents of Bergen, Norway, witnessed something unusual in their skies: a quiet aircraft completing a 100-mile (160 km) trip on nothing but battery power. minotaur fight store | minotaurfightstore

The aircraft, named Alia, is developed by US aerospace firm Beta Technologies. Designed primarily for cargo transport, it can carry loads of up to 560 kg—roughly half a tonne. The Bergen flight simulated a regular freight route between Stavanger and Bergen, completing the journey in just 52 minutes. For comparison, the drive takes over four hours.

“This marks an important step for Norway as an international test hub for clean aviation,” said Karianne Helland Strand from airport operator Avinor.

A Growing European Presence

Norway is just one stop in Alia’s busy European tour. The aircraft has already appeared at the Paris and Farnborough Air Shows, with additional stops in Ireland, Germany, and Denmark.

Alia boasts a 400 km (250 mile) range on a single charge, and like an electric car, it can recharge in under 40 minutes. Beyond cargo, the model can be configured to seat five passengers or transport medical supplies. In fact, Alia recently became the first electric aircraft to carry passengers into New York’s JFK airport.

Backed by Amazon and working with UPS, Beta aims to secure US certification for its planes within the year. “The next aerospace revolution will be built on electric propulsion,” said Beta’s chief revenue officer and former fighter pilot Shawn Hall. “It cuts operating costs and offers a real carbon advantage.”

A Tough Market for Electric Flight

Despite the optimism, progress has been slow. Today, the only electric aircraft with full European certification is the Pipistrel Velis Electro, a Slovenian two-seater with a limited 185 km range—suitable for pilot training, but not for passenger routes.

Failures have been common. Even aerospace giant Airbus has paused work on its CityAirbus project. Experts point to the fundamental problem: batteries. Lithium-ion technology remains heavy and far less energy-dense than jet fuel. According to aviation specialist Professor Guy Gratton of Cranfield University, battery performance has barely advanced in two decades. “A revolution in battery chemistry is what’s needed,” he argues.

Hybrid Approaches Gain Traction

Faced with these limits, manufacturers are increasingly turning to hybrid systems. Just as hybrid cars paved the way for electric vehicles, aviation firms are experimenting with combining batteries and traditional fuels.

One of the most ambitious projects is underway at Heart Aerospace, a Swedish-founded startup now relocated to the US. Its prototype, the 30-seat X1, carries about two tons of batteries and is expected to undergo flight tests soon. The company, however, is betting on a hybrid model for commercial use.

“With a hybrid setup, you need fewer batteries, the plane is lighter, and you can carry more passengers,” explained CTO Benjamin Stabler. The hybrid plane could operate fully electric on shorter trips but switch to turbines for longer journeys or diversions. Heart says its aircraft will cover up to 200 km purely on batteries and up to 800 km with hybrid power by 2026.

Other players are moving in the same direction. US startup Electra plans to launch a nine-seater hybrid plane by 2029, while Beta is developing both civilian and defense-oriented hybrid models, including autonomous systems.

The Road Ahead

Whether electric, hybrid, hydrogen, or powered by sustainable aviation fuel, the race for cleaner aviation is intensifying. Each technology faces hurdles in scalability, cost, and safety certification.

Still, momentum is building. As Stabler notes: “Electrifying aviation and cutting carbon is one of the toughest challenges we face—but it’s also one of the most important.”