Alef’s Electric Flying Car Takes to the Skies
Alef Aeronautics has achieved a significant milestone, demonstrating the first public flight of its electric flying car. A video released by the company showcases their vehicle driving and taking off vertically, a first in the industry. The video features the electric flying car leaping over another vehicle during its ascent.
This could be a defining moment, akin to the Wright brothers’ initial flight at Kitty Hawk, as stated by Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, who highlighted the potential for new transportation possibilities.
The company has been developing flying cars for about a decade. Early support came from Tim Draper of Draper Associates, who invested $3 million after seeing a prototype in 2017. In 2022, Alef unveiled the Model A, a 100% electric flying car with potential for 220 miles of driving and a 110-mile flight range.
Within a year, the Model A received a Special Airworthiness Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration, a first for its kind. Alef is now the first company to sell an aircraft through a car dealership.
This week, the company released footage of an “ultralight version” taking flight in California, which the company claims is the first video ever of a car driving and taking off vertically. Existing videos showed tethered flights or runway takeoffs, and eVTOL flying taxis taking off, but this is the first of a driving and vertical launch within a city. Safety protocols included street closures during the demonstration.
The video demonstrates the real-world functionality of the flying car. Alef has also shown how the vehicle handles off-road driving to further highlight its versatility.
Alef’s electric flying car is designed to be 100% electric, capable of driving on roads and performing vertical takeoffs and landings. Collaborations with manufacturers like PUCARA Aero and MYC, which supply parts to companies such as Boeing and Airbus, support the production of aviation-grade components. The flying car has already accumulated 3,300 pre-orders.
Pre-orders are available on Alef’s website, with a $150 deposit. A $1,500 deposit grants access to a priority queue. Model A production is set to begin later this year and the company is already developing its second flying car, the Model Z, with an expected launch in 2035.
