The biggest obstacle to commercialising electric aircraft is batteries, as their weight limits range and payload, DigitalToday reported. Business Insider rode in Beta Technologies\' Alia CX300 and reviewed the promise and limits of electric aviation. Jet fuel holds far more energy per kilogram than current batteries, leaving a large practical gap even with efficient motors. Industry investment has exceeded $20 billion since 2004, but several heavily funded firms have failed. Certification and scaling remain major hurdles.

Boeing is selling three electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) subsidiaries to Archer Aviation and will also take an equity stake in Archer. The assets include Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu. Boeing and Archer will share technology, while Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s autonomous flight system for commercial and defence projects. Archer plans to begin pilot air taxi services before year-end in New York, Texas and Florida.