Alef Aeronautics Receives FAA Approval to Test Fully Electric Flying Car
Image: Alef Aeronautics
Alef Aeronautics, a California-based startup, has obtained regulatory approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to commence testing its fully electric flying car.
According to a CNN report, the FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate for Alef’s “Model A” vehicle, granting legal clearance for flight operations.
Pre-orders for the $300,000 flying car, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, as well as road travel as a low-speed vehicle, have already begun. CNBC reports that Alef aims to initiate customer deliveries by the end of 2025.
In a press release, Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny expressed excitement over the FAA certification, stating, “We’re thrilled to receive this certification from the FAA, bringing us closer to providing people with an environmentally friendly and faster commuting option. This marks one small step for planes and one giant step for cars.”
Alef initiated the development of its flying cars in 2015, conducted test drives and flights with prototypes starting in 2019, and emerged from stealth mode in 2022. Venture capitalist Tim Draper, known for his investments in Tesla and SpaceX, is among the backers of the company.
The “Model A” offers a driving range of 200 miles (321 km) and a flight range of 110 miles. As a low-speed vehicle, it adheres to regulations, weighing less than 3,000 pounds and reaching a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). The car accommodates two passengers.
Additionally, Alef has plans for a second electric flying vehicle, the “Model Z,” expected to launch in 2035. This four-person sedan will be priced at $35,000 and projected to have a flying range of over 300 miles and a driving range of over 200 miles.
While the maximum altitude Alef’s cars can reach remains undisclosed, competitors aim for heights of up to 10,000 feet (comparable to helicopter altitudes) in the case of Terrafugia, or 8,000 feet as in Klein Vision’s AirCar.
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