Alef Aeronautics has received regulatory approval to begin testing its all-electric flying car. According to a CNN report, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it has issued a special certificate of airworthiness for Alef’s “Model A” vehicle, meaning it now has legal permission to fly.
Know when to gather and scatter
Pre-orders are already open for the $300,000 car, which can take off and land vertically and drive as a slow vehicle on the road. According to CNBC, the California-based startup aims to start shipping to customers by the end of 2025.
“We are pleased to receive this certification from the FAA. This brings us closer to the goal of providing people with a greener and faster commute,” said Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, in a press release. “It’s one small step for airplanes, one giant leap for cars.”
Alef started developing his flying cars in 2015. The company began testing and flying its prototype in 2019 and exited stealth mode in 2022. Venture capitalist Tim Draper, who has previously invested in Tesla and SpaceX, is one of the company’s backers.
Watch: Alef presents his flying car “Model A”.
Unveiling of the flying Alef car [In 4K, Fixed Sound]
Alef has a second flying car model in the works
The “Model A” has a driving range of 200 miles (321 km) and a flight range of 110 miles. As a low-speed vehicle, regulations say it weighs less than 3,000 pounds and cannot go faster than 25 mph (40 km/h). The vehicle can accommodate two people.
Alef has another electric flying vehicle on the way, scheduled for launch in 2035. The “Model Z,” a four-passenger sedan will cost $35,000 and is said to have a flight range of over 300 miles and a driving range of over 200 miles in range.
It is unclear what maximum height Alef’s cars can reach. Competitors aim for an altitude of up to 10,000 feet (the altitude at which helicopters typically fly), in the case of Terrafugia, or 8,000 feet, like Klein Vision’s AirCar.
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