First electric flying car obtains airworthiness certification in USA

If you’re stuck in traffic wishing your car could just fly over everyone, for an eye-watering $299,999 (€275,294) you just might be able to.

Alef Aeronautics received a special limited airworthiness certification from the USA’s Federal Aviation Administration for its fully electric flying car, the first of its kind.

The company’s ‘Model A’ will be both road drivable and has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

It set a target to start delivering its first cars by 2025. Interested buyers can place a pre-order on their website by submitting a deposit as low as $150 (€137.65).

“We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week. This is a one small step for planes, one giant step for cars,” said Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef.

Since it unveiled its first model in October 2022, the firm said that it has received several pre-orders from individuals and firms, having pre-sold over 440 vehicles during Q4 2022.

With the FAA actively working on its policies for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), as well as governing interaction between such vehicles and ground infrastructure, the certification limits the location and purpose for which the car is allowed to fly.