Flying cars have always felt like something you’d only see in movies. But now, that future is starting to show up right in front of us—on actual California streets. Alef Aeronautics, a startup out of Silicon Valley, has successfully test-flown a street-legal electric car that can take off vertically and fly over traffic. The car, called the Model A, just proved it can move from roads to the skies without needing a runway.
This changes the game for urban transportation. Instead of just dreaming about avoiding traffic jams, it might soon be a real option. This thing doesn’t just look futuristic—it actually works. (Source: Flying Magazine)
How the Model A Actually Works
Alef’s Model A runs entirely on electricity and uses eight propellers tucked inside a sleek mesh body. That design lets it take off vertically like a drone. Once in the air, it can fly about 110 miles. On the ground, it works like a regular car—with a 200-mile range and the ability to fit into a normal parking spot.
It’s not a pipe dream either. The Model A already received FAA approval for limited test flights and meets street-legal safety standards. It’s slow on roads for now, but the whole idea is being able to rise above traffic altogether. (Source: New Atlas)
Price Tag and Demand
Right now, the Model A is priced at around $300,000. That’s not cheap—but clearly, people are interested. Alef says it already has more than 3,000 preorders. A $150 deposit gets you in the general queue, while $1,500 gets you priority placement.
For a brand new form of transportation, that level of interest is wild. The company expects to begin production in 2025, with deliveries starting shortly after that. They’re not just testing the waters—they’re pushing this to market. (Source: Designboom)
The FAA Gave the Green Light
Alef’s flying car already passed a major milestone: it received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA. That means the car can legally conduct test flights—something no other street-legal flying car in the U.S. has accomplished. That stamp of approval matters a lot in a space where safety and regulations usually slow everything down.
This puts Alef way ahead of most competitors. It’s not just a cool idea on paper—it’s been recognized by aviation authorities, giving it a real shot at becoming a part of daily life in the next few years. (Source: eVTOL News)
What’s Next for Alef?
Alef isn’t stopping at just a two-seater. They’re already planning a four-person version, called the Model Z, which they hope to price around $35,000. That’s a big drop—and it shows they’re aiming to take flying cars mainstream within the next few years.
If they hit that price point and the tech keeps moving forward, we could be looking at the early stages of a brand-new industry. Not just for the rich—but for regular people who are tired of wasting hours stuck in traffic. (Source: eVTOL News)
