The Jetsons world so many grew up took another step toward reality with another nascent player, Alef Aeronautics, announcing it was taking deposits for its version of a flying car. The new eVTOL-style electric vehicle is scheduled to be ready in 2025.
The first Alef flying car is available for pre-sale now for $300,00, but you can pay just $150 regular queue or $1,500 priority queue deposit. For those looking to be George Jetson before George Jetson, a few clicks of a mouse will get you in line for an Alef Model A.
Officials at the California-based startup claim the Model A is the only car that can drive on city streets and take-off vertically.
“The Alef Model A is a modern solution for both urban and rural transportation needs in the 21st century because it is the fastest and most convenient transport ever created from the point of origin to the final destination,” said Alef’s CEO Jim Dukhovny.
“By enabling consumers to choose driving or flying mode, the Alef flying car allows the optimal path depending on road conditions, weather and infrastructure.”
Pre-flight check list
The company’s been testing working models of the vehicle since 2019, and it offers plenty of functionality, the company says.
The Model A flying car has a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles, according to Alef. It has a distributed electric propulsion system, no exposed propellers, extensive software flight stabilization and safety system, elevon stabilization system, and all wheel driving.
Key safety components include triple to octuple redundancy of all key components, real-time 1,000-point diagnostics, pre-flight reject start diagnostics, obstacle detection and avoidance among others.
With additional models in development, Alef is working towards the four-person sedan, Alef Model Z scheduled for introduction in 2035 priced at $35,000. It will be capable of flying 300+ miles with a driving range of more than 220 miles.
Not alone
The Model A and Z are tapping into a market that screams potential. And for that reason, there is already plenty of competition. Toyota Motor Co.-supported Joby Aviation took another step toward eVTOL readiness, applying to Japan’s transport ministry for aircraft certification for its all-electric vehicle.
The company’s already received approval in the U.S. from the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, to establish a commercial air-taxi business but using conventional aircraft not the eVTOL aircraft it plans to produce.
There are a slew of other competitors, including some big names like Hyundai and the aforementioned Toyota and even Cadillac showed off an eVTOL concept. There are also smaller, scrappy companies — just like Alef — including AirCar.
The two seater is undergoing testing in Slovakia, completing more than 140 35-minute flights from Nitra to Bratislava the craft has successfully landed. Nearly as importantly, the nearly 60-mile trip takes nearly 90 minutes to complete when simply driving from one city to the other, officials at Klein Vision, the company developing the aircraft noted.