A flying car being developed by San Mateo, California-based startup Alef Aeronautics has been granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The certification limits the locations and purpose of when the electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) is allowed to fly as the FAA is actively working on its policies for eVTOLs, Alef said in a statement.
Alef’s “Model A” flying car can be driven on roads and has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, the company added.
It is 100% electric, can carry one or two passengers, and has a driving range of 200 miles (332 kilometres) and a flight range of 110 miles (177 kilometres).
"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,” said Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny in a statement.
“This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.”
Priced at $300,000, the “Model A” can be pre-ordered through Alef’s website. It expects to deliver its first vehicles in the final quarter of 2025.
The company told Insider this week that it has received more than $250 million in orders for the “Model A” since it was unveiled in October 2022, equating to at least 834 vehicles.
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