Alef Aeronautics
California’s Alef Aeronautics made history recently when it debuted the world’s first electric flying car. The company first came together in 2015 after the idea to build a real-life flying car was cemented in the minds of the four founders and 10 years later, it is a reality.
The first full-scale prototype of Alef’s flying car was built in 2016. In 2018, a ‘skeleton’ version of the eventual car was flown. But things really picked up in recent years after Alef hired a former Bugatti interior/exterior designer to really give their car a modern yet classic design that stops people in their tracks.
In a recent test flight for the public, the world’s first electric flying car showcased its capabilities. This thing looks like a straight-up UFO, like a car from Men in Black that’s masquerading as a normal vehicle but will fold out into a rocket ship at any moment. Here it is in action:
The ultimate goal with the world’s first flying car is to relieve road congestion, a worthy cause that anyone living in heavily-trafficked areas can sympathize with. According to the press section of Alef’s website, the company has already received over 3,300 pre-orders for their Model A.
The price tag on pre-orders will sit just about $300,000 but deposits are only $150. There is also an option of a $1,500 deposit to sit atop the priority queue so you get served before others.
The World’s First Electric Flying Car… Is It Legit?
Here is some more footage of the world’s first electric flying car, the Alef Model A, for those who might be on the fence about whether this is legit:
Of course, the world’s first electric flying car won’t only live in the skies. The Alef Model A will also be a road vehicle, albeit a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) which the company notes “has legal speed and other limitations in most states.” But when the roads are crowded it can take to the skies and remove itself from traffic.
Alef Aeronautics says their Model A will be able to fly “forward, backward, right, left, up, down, at an angle.” Essentially, they want the vehicle to be able to avoid any obstacle in its way. They also stipulate that this is a 100% electric/clean energy vehicle and will meet all city standards. Furthermore, they claim that at some point in the future they will offer a hydrogen option with an extended flight range.