Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a new law allowing flying vehicles to be used on state roads and highways, reports Israel Salas-Rodriguez for The U.S. Sun. This legislation follows New Hampshire's similar law from 2020, signaling growing momentum in the flying car industry.

• Market Expansion: US companies Samson Sky and Alef, and European companies PAL-V and Klein, anticipate production starts in 2025.

• Vehicle Costs: Alef's two-passenger flying vehicle is expected to cost $300,000, while Samson Sky's version is priced around $140,000.

The new law details registration requirements for flying cars and permits "roadable aircraft" to drive on state roads and highways, though takeoff and landing on public roads are prohibited except in emergencies. Salas-Rodriguez notes, “This development represents a significant advancement for the burgeoning flying car industry.”

BMW and other automakers are leveraging EV battery packs, which store 40 to 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy, to provide supplemental energy during peak demand, reports E.ON.

BMW's bidirectional charging system will allow EV batteries to serve as stationary energy storage devices, integrating with BMW’s Wallbox Professional Level-2 home charger and solar panels. This enables the storage of solar-generated electricity in a BMW vehicle's battery for home use.

• Stage One: Home energy storage via bidirectional charging.

• Stage Two: Grid charging and discharging during peak times.

E.ON will manage the process, allowing revenue generation from energy transfers. This technology also powers external devices like power tools and e-bikes.

Frank Weber, BMW's Board of Management member, emphasized the continuous improvement of charging products and services.

The Department of Energy highlights that EV-grid integration is crucial for reducing emissions, maintaining reliable electricity, reducing costs, and providing a seamless charging experience.

General Motors also launched vehicle-to-home (V2H) EV charging products, including the Ultium Home V2H Enablement Kit.

BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse EVs will begin production at Plant Debrecen in Hungary, featuring significant design advancements.

In 2023, e-bike batteries caused 268 fires in New York City, resulting in 18 deaths and 150 injuries. Incidents in San Francisco, Toronto, and Portland, Maine, further highlight the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in electric bikes and scooters.

Lithium-ion batteries, used in e-bikes, are the same as those in phones and laptops, leading to a casual charging approach. “The approach tends to be more casual, just the way we do with our phones,” said Sayon Deb, director of primary insights for UL Standards & Engagement.

A UL report found many e-bike owners unaware of battery risks:

• Battery Size: E-bike batteries range from 10 to 20 amp hours, compared to 2.2 to 2.8 amp hours for laptop batteries.

• Fire Risks: 49% of e-bike owners block exit paths while charging, unaware an e-bike fire can engulf a room in 20 seconds.

Many users receive inadequate safety information from manufacturers and retailers. Deb recommends looking for UL certification on bikes and batteries to ensure safety.

New regulations are emerging:

• New York City: Local Law 39 bans the sale of uncertified e-bikes and batteries.

• San Francisco: New safety standards limit electric devices per household and mandate separate charging outlets.

• Federal Bills: Proposed to reduce unregulated e-bike imports and set safety standards.

Deb advises buyers to read manuals, discuss procedures with retailers, and purchase certified batteries to ensure safe e-bike use.

Archer and Joby are gearing up to launch air taxi services, though it's still unclear which company will be the first to fly with paying passengers or where these flights will begin.

• Planned Operations:

  • Archer: Manhattan to Newark Liberty International Airport

  • Joby: New York City and Los Angeles

  • Both companies have deals in the UAE: Joby in Dubai and Archer in Abu Dhabi

The immediate goal is to achieve FAA certification. Joby has completed 1,500 flights, including 100 with a pilot, and aims to launch commercial flights soon. Archer plans 400 flights this year with its aircraft, Midnight, and will start piloted flights later this year.

Both companies intend to manufacture their own aircraft and provide aerial ride-sharing services. Archer also plans to sell aircraft to other users.

• Pricing: Archer estimates a 25-mile air taxi trip will take 12 minutes and cost $3.30 per seat-mile, compared to $1.50 per seat-mile for an hour-long ground-based ride-sharing trip.

Affordability remains a question. Adam Cohen from Berkeley's Transportation Sustainability Research Center doubts air taxis will be affordable for most people. Joby and Archer are evaluating route demand and pricing, focusing on cities with difficult ground infrastructure like Los Angeles, New York City, and Dubai.

“The world’s cities are growing increasingly congested while alternative transportation options remain challenging to develop and implement,” said Archer’s Goldstein, highlighting the potential impact of the air taxi industry.