Many automotive companies have presented their plans and prototypes of flying cars, so the idea of a future filled with them is nothing new. But perhaps some of them gain more attention because of their uniqueness amount others. For example, Alef Aeronautics recently announced its prototype flying car that can take off vertically and fly like a helicopter up to 110 miles on a single charge.
More so, it can be driven on the road just like an ordinary car. But perhaps the most interesting part is that Alef promises to begin delivering their first flying car model by the end of 2025.
Alef Model A Flying Car
Alef Aeronautics will sell their first flying car at around $300,000 and will be the only road-certified flying car that can do vertical takeoff and landings like an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as per Robb Report.
The Santa Clara, California-based company introduced their two-seater Model A in October, saying it would be on a pre-sale deposit of $1,500 in the first quarter of 2023. They estimated the first deliveries would be in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The car includes a carbon-fiber body with an open, mesh-like top with four propellers on each side. The entire vehicle turns on its side once it takes off, in which the two-seat cockpit will swivel to allow the propellers to steer it like a giant drone.
Its retro-futuristic look was designed by Hirash Razaghi, who also designed some Jaguars and Bugattis. But aside from Alef Model A's design, the car highlights its ability to drive like an ordinary car and fly like a helicopter to lift itself from a traffic obstruction, then land back on the highway and drive off where there is lesser traffic.
The company's executive consists of veterans in engineering and development, with a lead investor that backed up Tesla, a former head of Ford Aerospace, and even NBA star Luis Scola. Alef is still testing the prototype of Model A since 2019.
A Long Way Ahead Being Legal and for Mass Reproduction
Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny told CNBC Make It that their flying car is built to stay on roads with the capability of flying to avoid specific obstacles when needed. In the press release last October, he pointed out these obstacles, including "road conditions, weather, and infrastructure."
As far as the legalities of driving it on the road, the company said that it is designed to adhere to automotive laws and regulations so it can be allowed to be driven on the road.
However, Gartner auto and smart mobility analyst Mike Ramsay said that Alef has a tough road ahead, given its plans. More so, he noted that mass production is a challenge even for any car startup as it is often difficult to get regulatory approvals to legally drive on public roads, much less fly over them.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has provided updated guidance on the requirements for ground vehicles to be allowed to take off in public airspace. In July, the FAA gave Samson SKy's Switchblade the go-ahead for flight testing.
Ramsay said that safety requirements over road vehicles could make getting the necessary approval a major challenge. Alef Aeronautics hopes to speed up its regulatory process by seeking certification outside the US, such as in the US and Europe, to help build a safety record and allow them to gather enough data to help with FAA certification in the US.
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