In a groundbreaking development that could revolutionize personal transportation, Alef Aeronautics, a California company, has announced that preorders are now available for their highly anticipated flying electric car.
The company has received a special airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), granting them permission to conduct road and air tests, according to a recent news release.
Alef Aeronautics’ Model A car is a fully electric vehicle with the option of a hydrogen-powered version at a higher price point.
The vehicle, categorized as a low-speed car, can travel up to 200 miles on public roads and fits into a standard garage. However, its unique selling point lies in its ability to vertically take off, allowing it to soar up to 110 miles in the air, as highlighted on Alef’s website.
Describing the innovative features of their creation, the San Mateo-based company states that the “Model A” car can fly forward above the obstacles until a desired destination is reached.” The driver and passengers are “stabilized by a unique gimbaled rotating cabin design.”
Alef prides itself on offering passengers a “cinematic 180 plus degree view for safe and enjoyable flight,” providing a remarkable flying experience free from traffic congestion.
With an anticipated price tag of approximately $300,000, interested customers can now place preorders for the two-seater vehicle. Alef has already garnered significant attention and received numerous preorders from both individuals and businesses, showcasing the immense excitement surrounding this groundbreaking development.
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The FAA, responsible for ensuring safety and regulating airspace, issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the Armada Model Zero aircraft on June 12, 2023.
While this certificate allows for limited purposes such as exhibition and research and development, it is not the first time the FAA has granted such certification for a similar aircraft, as confirmed by an FAA spokesperson in a statement to Fox Business.
Alef Aeronautics acknowledges that the FAA is actively working on developing policies regarding the takeoff and landing of electric vehicles, underscoring the forward-thinking nature of their enterprise.
Jim Dukhovny, CEO and co-founder of Alef, said, “We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It brings us one step closer to providing individuals and businesses with an environmentally friendly and expedient commute, potentially saving them hours each week. This achievement represents a small step for planes and a giant leap for cars.”
The journey to develop this remarkable invention began in 2015 when Jim Dukhovny, along with co-founders Constantine Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov, drew inspiration from the iconic movie “Back to the Future II,” where the protagonist famously pilots a flying car.
Dukhovny, lacking the technical expertise to embark on such a formidable task alone, initiated a conversation with his co-founders at a local café, setting the wheels in motion for the creation of Alef Aeronautics.
The potential of this innovation is immense. While the technology is exciting there are many hurdles to overcome before we enter the world of the Jetson’s, including the astronomical price point.
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