UDOT Takes Transportation to the Next Level With All-Electric Aircraft Demonstration
October 7, 2026
BETA Technologies’ ALIA CX300 flight showcases clean electric aircraft technology
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--(UDOT)- Today, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), in partnership with BETA Technologies and 47G, showcased the future of aviation in Utah with a flight of BETA’s all-electric ALIA CX300 aircraft. The demonstration is the latest in a series of real-world flight operations conducted through uFLY, UDOT’s multi-state initiative designed to safely accelerate the integration of advanced aviation technologies in Utah. From regional passenger travel and cargo delivery to medical transportation and emergency response, Utah leaders are working together to ensure the state has the infrastructure and regulatory framework as electric aviation moves toward commercial operations.
“Transportation is evolving, and we want Utah to help lead the way. For decades, we’ve worked to find better, safer ways to move people. Now, we’re exploring how advanced aircraft can become part of that future,” UDOT Commissioner Carlos Braceras said. “Through uFLY, companies like BETA can test this technology in real-world conditions and help us understand how it can safely integrate into the transportation systems Utahns rely on every day.”
Unlike conventional aircraft powered by jet fuel, BETA’s ALIA CTOL is all electric. The aircraft is designed to operate from existing airports using well-established aviation procedures. This provides a potential pathway for introducing electric aviation without requiring an entirely new airport system. The ALIA CTOL has demonstrated a maximum range of 336 nautical miles and can support a range of missions including transporting cargo and critical medical supplies. BETA is also building an integrated electric aviation ecosystem that includes aircraft, electric motors, batteries and charging technology to enable this industry to scale. Specifically for Utah, BETA already has charging capabilities in place across the state with a high-speed Charge Cube under construction at Salt Lake City International Airport.
“We designed our ALIA CTOL from the beginning to serve communities more efficiently and at a lower cost, whether that is moving cargo, strengthening logistics networks or supporting critical medical missions,” said Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive officer of BETA Technologies. “Through uFly and our partnership with UDOT and 47G, Utah is giving us a chance to demonstrate this utility in the real world, while generating the operational experience needed to bring electric aviation into reliable commercial service.”
“Utah has never been a state that waits for the future to happen,” President J. Stuart Adams. “Years ago, we began talking about how advanced air mobility could transform the way people and goods move across our state, and today that future is getting closer. Testing these technologies in Utah gives us an opportunity to lead the next generation of transportation, strengthen our aerospace industry and better connect communities across our state. We are preparing today for the transportation system our children and grandchildren will rely on tomorrow.”
A key focus of UDOT’s advanced air mobility strategy is developing the infrastructure necessary to support multiple aircraft manufacturers and operators rather than a single technology. BETA’s charging systems use a charging format and are designed for interoperability with emerging electric aircraft. The company has developed stationary and mobile charging solutions that can support aviation operations while leveraging existing airport infrastructure.
“Utah’s aerospace industry has made a serious commitment to developing the technologies that will define the future of transportation,” said 47G President and CEO Aaron Starks. “With partners like BETA investing, innovating and putting new capabilities into operation, Utah has an opportunity to complement our existing transportation system in new ways.”
Follow the link to learn more about UDOT’s role in Advanced Air Mobility and our uFLY initiative.
