Flying Electric Car Alef Model A, Priced at $300,000, Approved for Testing in the US
Alef Aeronautics has announced receiving approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct tests on their flying electric car, the Model A. This permission is crucial for the widespread operation of the vehicle.
The testing clearance is granted through a special airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA, which outlines the location and objectives for the vehicle’s flights. The vehicle must also comply with the requirements set by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Alef is committed to reporting any issues, including defects and malfunctions discovered during the development and testing of the Model A to the authorities.
The electric car is designed for road use and features vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. It is currently available for pre-order, with a reservation fee of $150, and priority placement on the waiting list for $1,500. When the vehicle is available for sale, its price is expected to be around $300,000. While driving on the road, the vehicle falls under the low-speed category, with a maximum speed of 40 km/h, but it can achieve higher speeds while airborne. The Model A has a ground range of 320 km and an air range of 176 km.
Alef Aeronautics was founded in 2015 in Palo Alto, California, by Jim Dukhovny, Konstantin Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov. The initial concept of the flying electric car was sketched on a napkin in a café. The final version aimed to meet specific requirements, such as the ability to travel on standard road lanes and use regular parking spaces, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and accessibility for a wide range of people, not just the wealthy elite. Within a year of conceptualization, the team built the first scaled-down prototype, and in 2018, the first full-size “skeleton” took to the skies. Alef plans to begin deliveries of the Model A by the end of 2025.
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