The future has a new flight path—straight over California traffic. A startup called Alef Aeronautics just brought something long imagined into the real world: a flying electric car. The Model A isn’t science fiction. It’s a street-legal EV that can lift off vertically, cruise through the air, and land wherever there’s space to spare. After its recent test flight, people are starting to realize that personal air travel might actually be around the corner.
A New Era of Commuting
The Alef Model A can transition between driving and flying, giving drivers the chance to skip over traffic instead of just sitting in it. The company’s vision is all about flexibility—your car becomes your aircraft without needing a runway or special hangar.
It’s designed to fit in a regular garage, and the vertical takeoff feature gives it a real edge in urban areas. As explained on AeroCrunch, this isn’t just for fun—it’s meant to solve real problems with traffic congestion and mobility.
What It Can Do
The Model A runs fully on electric power and can cover around 200 miles on the road and 110 miles in the air. It’s classified as a low-speed vehicle, topping out at 25 mph on the ground, but can hit airspeeds of around 110 mph once airborne.
Its design uses eight motors and a rotating cabin to keep passengers upright during flight transitions. As JEC Composites notes, this setup supports stability and safety while keeping the car lightweight and maneuverable.
Cleared for Takeoff
In a key milestone, the Model A received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA in 2023. That approval allows Alef to conduct test flights in controlled settings—the first vehicle of its kind to do so in the U.S.
But before it can hit the road in full force, Alef still needs signoff from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the New York Post, the company is working closely with regulators to secure that approval.
People Are Actually Buying These
Believe it or not, over 3,300 people have already placed preorders for the Model A. You can reserve your spot in line now, and production is expected to begin by the end of 2025, according to a second report from the NY Post.
Down the road—literally and figuratively—Alef plans to release the Model Z, a four-seater with a longer range and potential self-flying capabilities. That model is expected to launch around 2035, as reported by JEC Composites.
Still a Few Hurdles
The Model A does come with some limitations. Because it’s legally a low-speed vehicle, it can’t hit highways like a regular EV. There’s also the bigger question of how flying cars will be integrated into existing road and air traffic systems. Popular Mechanics recently highlighted these challenges, especially around airspace coordination and infrastructure.
Still, the Model A isn’t cutting corners when it comes to safety. It’s equipped with multiple backup systems, detect-and-avoid sensors, and even a parachute for emergencies. These features were also detailed in JEC Composites’ breakdown of the aircraft’s safety architecture.
Final Thoughts
The Model A isn’t a concept—it’s real, it’s been tested, and it’s sparked serious interest. It might not be your daily commuter just yet, but it’s pushing the limits of what personal transportation can look like.
If you’re curious or thinking about getting one, you can check out pre-order details and more info directly from Alef Aeronautics’ website.
