Alef Aeronautics’ Electric Flying Car Takes to the Skies
Who says electric flying cars are just a fantasy? Alef Aeronautics has just made history. The company released a video showcasing its electric flying car driving and then taking off vertically in a public setting. The video shows the car leaping over another vehicle during takeoff, offering a glimpse of potential future transportation.
Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, stated the company is, “proving to humanity that new transportation is possible.” This marks a significant step for Alef, which has been developing its flying car technology for about a decade. They secured early backing from Tim Draper, an early investor in Tesla and SpaceX, whose venture capital firm, Draper Associates, provided $3 million in seed funding after seeing a prototype in 2017.
The company gained attention in 2022 with the unveiling of the Model A prototype. The company claims that the all-electric flying car, can travel up to 220 miles on the ground and 110 miles in the air.
In a landmark move, less than a year later, the Model A received a Special Airworthiness Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration – it was the first of its kind. Alef even became the first company to offer pre-orders of an aircraft through a car dealership.
Alef again made history this week by publishing a video of an “ultralight version” of its flying car. This is the first public video of a car driving and taking off vertically on a city street. The road was safely blocked off for the demonstration.
While acknowledging previous videos of tethered flights or runway takeoffs, this represents a first for the public.
In another video, Alef demonstrated the car’s ability to drive like a standard vehicle by taking it off-road, showing its versatility.
Alef states that its flying car is “100% electric, drivable on public roads, and has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.” The company has manufacturing agreements with PUCARA Aero and MYC, both of which supply aviation-grade parts, used by Boeing and Airbus.
The electric flying car has garnered 3,300 pre-orders so far, with prices slated to start around $300,000. You can secure your own with a $150 deposit on Alef’s website or opt for the priority queue with a $1,500 reservation fee.
Alef plans to start Model A production later this year, with deliveries soon after, and is already developing its second flying car, “Model Z,” anticipated to launch in 2035, with an estimated starting price of around $35,000.
