Metro Aviation and BETA test electric aircraft for Texas EMS operations

Metro Aviation and BETA Technologies have demonstrated the use of an all-electric aircraft to support emergency medical services (EMS) operations in the US state of Texas.

The companies flew BETA’s ALIA conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft with Washington County EMS in Brenham, Texas, testing its potential to transport disaster-response equipment alongside existing helicopter and ground resources.

Washington County EMS responds to more than 7,000 calls annually across an area of approximately 700 square miles (1,813km²). Its operations include pre-hospital emergency care, emergency and non-emergency transfers, critical care and rescue paramedic services.

Metro Aviation has worked with Washington County EMS since 2022 and currently operates an Airbus EC145 helicopter for the service.

Integrating electric aviation options into existing infrastructure

The electric aircraft demonstration was BETA’s first flight in Texas under the US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

It also formed part of Project Nexus, an initiative led by the Texas Department of Transportation examining how electric aviation could be incorporated into existing aviation infrastructure and operations.

As part of the project, BETA and Metro are evaluating electric aircraft operations on a route connecting Galveston, Sugar Land, and Brenham. BETA already has a Charge Cube electric aircraft charging station operating in Galveston.

The Washington County demonstration focused specifically on how the ALIA CTOL could transport equipment during disaster-response operations rather than replace the county’s existing HEMS capability.

Metro Aviation Vice President Todd Stanberry said the demonstration allowed the operator and Washington County EMS to move from discussing potential electric aircraft applications to evaluating the technology in an operational environment.

The test builds on an existing partnership between Metro and BETA. In 2024, Metro placed a deposit-backed order for up to 20 of BETA’s ALIA VTOL aircraft, with plans to examine their use for interhospital and scene medical transport.

BETA is developing both conventional and vertical takeoff and landing versions of the ALIA, targeting applications including medical transport, cargo, passenger, and defense operations.