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Okaloosa approves electric vehicle/aircraft charging station at Bob Sikes Airport

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Host Site Agreement with BETA Technologies, Inc. (BETA) at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) in Crestview, FL. BETA […]

Jared Williams

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Host Site Agreement with BETA Technologies, Inc. (BETA) at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) in Crestview, FL.

This agreement will allow BETA to install a DC Fast Charge Commercial Charging Station to recharge electric vehicles, including BETA’s ALIA-250 aircraft, at no cost to the county.

BETA Technologies, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of electric aircraft founded in 2017, is expanding its charging network to support the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. AAM focuses on moving people and cargo between previously underserved or unserved locations using revolutionary new aircraft.

In October 2023, BETA landed its all-electric aircraft at Duke Field to begin a contracted deployment period with the US Air Force’s 413th Test Squadron. During this time, BETA’s ALIA aircraft and its core flight test team conducted hands-on training and explored use cases such as critical resupply, cargo delivery, and personnel transport.

With the Board’s approval, BETA will install one DC Fast Charge Commercial Charging Station along the north end of the CEW South Apron. There will also be a Level 2 vehicle charger installed on the land side to service two parking spots for electric car charging at the airport.All electrical infrastructure needed to support the chargers will be funded and installed by BETA.

At the end of each calendar year, BETA will remit 10% of the previous year’s station margin to the county for the privilege of installing the station on County Airport property.

Tracy Stage, Airports Director, noted that BETA has completed 336 nautical miles of flight on its battery packs and has flown through the nation’s busiest class B and C airspaces. The company recently completed a three-month deployment at Eglin Air Force Base, conducting operational experimentation and training with over 200 sorties and 5,500 nautical miles of flight testing in Okaloosa County using the ALIA CTOL aircraft.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, “12 years ago when I got on the commission, I would not have thought I would have the chance to approve plug-in stations for electric airplanes. But I think it’s neat to see that our community is leading on this issue right now.”

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