Electric air taxis get the green light for flight tests in Texas

<figure> <img alt="Joby Aviation" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Bloomberg via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2273027720.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A new federal program to test the feasibility of electric, hybrid-electric, and autonomous aircraft kicks off today in Texas - before the rules governing this new technology have even been finalized. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration's Advanced Air Mobility and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/891559/evtol-get-a-boost-from-the-white-house">Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP)</a> selected <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/future-aviation-here-trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-and-faa-unveil">eight state-led projects</a> to serve as some of the first public tests of these new aircraft. The first one kicks off today in Texas, featuring three eVTOL companies: Joby, Beta, and Wisk. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">For the next week, these companies will conduct test flights demonstrating future routes …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/993341/evtol-air-taxi-aviation-eipp-texas">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>