On July 14, 2026, Embraer officially launched the Phenom 300EV, the third generation of the world’s best-selling light business jet. The “EV” stands for Evolution, and the update lives up to the name. Rather than a cosmetic refresh, Embraer used this update to push safety technology, range, and cabin comfort further than any Phenom 300 variant before it.

For a light jet segment that buyers already cross-shop heavily (the Phenom 300E has long been a direct competitor to the Cessna Citation CJ3+), this is a significant moment. Here is what changed, what it costs, and when you can actually get one.

Safety Headlines the Update

The most consequential change is Garmin Emergency Autoland. Embraer says the Phenom 300EV will be the largest business jet certified with the system, which can take control of the aircraft and complete a fully automated landing if the pilot becomes incapacitated mid-flight.

That single feature is joined by a broader stack of new flight deck and control technology:

• Class-exclusive autobrake for smoother, more consistent landings
• Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), an industry-first for this category
• Responsive autothrottle to reduce pilot workload during approach and climb
• Rudder-by-wire flight controls, replacing traditional mechanical linkages
• Emergency Descent Mode, which automatically initiates a descent in the event of cabin depressurization

Taken together, this is one of the largest safety-technology jumps the Phenom 300 line has seen since its introduction, and it puts the aircraft’s safety systems on par with jets well above its price point.

More Range, More Payload

Embraer also improved the aircraft’s core performance numbers. Maximum range with five passengers climbs from 2,010 nautical miles to 2,055 nautical miles, and operators gain roughly 430 additional pounds of payload capacity. Embraer is marketing the Phenom 300EV as offering the best maximum payload in the light jet category, alongside a top speed of Mach 0.80.

For buyers evaluating the light jet segment, that combination of range and payload matters. It is the difference between needing a fuel stop on a coast-to-coast repositioning and not, or between flying with a full cabin and full bags versus having to leave something behind.

A Cabin Built for Longer Days

The Phenom 300EV carries over the Phenom 300 line’s signature cabin comfort, including a maximum cabin altitude of 6,600 feet, and adds several upgrades aimed at passenger experience on longer missions:

• Line-fit LEO satellite connectivity through Gogo Galileo, with Starlink available as an aftermarket option
• Improved cabin temperature control for more consistent comfort throughout the flight
• A new vacuum lavatory, a meaningful upgrade for a cabin class where lavatory quality is often a differentiator

None of these changes are flashy on their own, but together they close the gap between what passengers expect from a light jet and what they actually get, particularly on the connectivity front, where low Earth orbit satellite service has quickly become table stakes rather than a luxury add-on.

Pricing and Timeline

The 11-occupant Phenom 300EV carries a list price of $13.995 million. Embraer says certification testing is in its final stages, with all test flights already concluded, and the company expects triple certification from the FAA, EASA, and Brazil’s ANAC later in 2026.

First customer deliveries are planned for 2028. That timeline matters for anyone actively shopping the segment right now. The Phenom 300EV is not a change to aircraft already on ramps or in the pre-owned market today. It is a future option, and buyers who want a new-production light jet in the next year or two will still be looking at the current Phenom 300E, the CJ3+, or comparable in-production models.

What It Means for Buyers

For owners and prospective buyers already looking at the Phenom 300 line, the announcement raises a familiar question: buy now, or wait for the EV.

A few things are worth weighing:

• Resale timing. Every time a manufacturer announces a meaningful upgrade, it puts some downward pressure on resale expectations for the outgoing model. That does not mean current Phenom 300E values collapse, but it is a factor worth discussing with your broker before listing or buying a used unit.
• Mission fit. The 45-nautical-mile range increase and added payload are real, but they are incremental. Buyers whose missions are well served by the current Phenom 300E’s performance may not need to wait two years for marginal gains.
• Safety technology adoption. Emergency Autoland and the broader safety suite are the more compelling reason to consider waiting, especially for owner-flown operators who value the extra layer of protection.

The Phenom 300 line has held its position as the best-selling light jet for years by consistently reinvesting in the platform rather than resting on its reputation. The 300EV looks like more of the same strategy: incremental, well-targeted upgrades rather than a ground-up redesign.

The Bottom Line

The Phenom 300EV is a meaningful update to an already dominant aircraft, headlined by the largest business jet application yet of Garmin Emergency Autoland, modest gains in range and payload, and a more connected, comfortable cabin. With certification expected later this year and deliveries starting in 2028, it is a data point worth tracking for anyone with a light jet purchase or upgrade decision on the horizon, even if it is not yet an aircraft you can put in your hangar.

Contact Holstein Aviation to talk through how the Phenom 300EV announcement affects your buying or selling timeline in the light jet market.