Headline News:

• “Test Flight Of BETA Alia CX300 Electric Airplane Completed In Norway” • The CX300 is based on an electric VTOL aircraft that has been under development by BETA Technologies, a Vermont company formed in 2017. According to the New York Times, it has completed test flights in the US. Norway put up $5 million for a test flight there. [CleanTechnica]

Beta Alia CX300 (Margareth Aske, Avinor, via ATI)

• “In Estonia, A New Rare-Earth Magnet Plant Powers Europe’s Green Transition” • Europe’s first rare-earth magnet plant has opened in Estonia. The new facility marks a milestone in the EU’s effort to secure a supply chain for critical technologies. China now supplies 90% of the EU’s permanent magnets needed for wind turbines. [Euronews]
• “Extreme Weather Cost Europe Billions This Summer, Study Finds” • This summer’s extreme weather will leave a €126 billion dent in the EU’s economy by 2029, a study from the University of Mannheim shows. The extreme weather caused short-term losses of at least €43 billion this year, with total costs expected to rise to €126 billion by 2029. [Euronews]
• “Vehicle Sales Growth Since 2020 Is Entirely From Electric Cars” • There’s a narrative among people in the auto industry and mainstream media that demand for electric cars is shaky while fossil-fueled cars have strong and consistent demand. That is bunk. Electric car sales have been growing while fossil-fueled car sales have been shrinking. [CleanTechnica]
• “Trump Admin Aims To Block Funds For Renewable Energy In Alaska Villages” • Wind and solar can be faster and cheaper ways to power small Alaska Native communities. Nevertheless, Denali Commission programs director Jocelyn Fenton emphasized fossil fuel last week when she spoke to a US Senate panel about the energy needs in rural Alaska. [KYUK]

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