The skies above the Bay Area may soon see a new type of vehicle, as Alef Aeronautics has begun production on the world's first consumer flying car. The Silicon Valley company announced that its Model A Ultralight, an ultralight electric vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, will soon transition from prototype to customer hands, according to KTVU.
According to Alef, the car's production involves a mix of robotic, industrial, and mostly hand manufacturing, and each early version is expected to take several months to build. The Model A Ultralight is described as a low speed vehicle (LSV) with a street speed limit of 25 miles per hour, encouraging drivers to use its flight capabilities when faster travel is necessary. The company, however, has not provided a specific timeline for when the first flying cars will be delivered, emphasizing the need for extensive testing of both individual parts and the complete assembly before roll-out, FLYING Magazine reports.
In its transition to consumer products, Alef is selecting a small group of customers to receive the first vehicles. These individuals prioritized based on early orders and sizable deposits, which will help the company refine the Model A in real-world, controlled environments. Currently, Alef anticipates delivering these pioneering vehicles to clients in California and Hong Kong, with the price set around $300,000, though they expect costs to reduce significantly with mass production.
Each Model A Ultralight is hand-assembled at Alef's facility in San Mateo, and is cited as the first road-legal passenger car with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, which does not necessitate a runway. Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, stated, "The team worked hard to meet the timeline, because we know people are waiting," affirming their commitment to staying on schedule with the production, according to KTVU. On the other hand, the path to Alef's certification and ultimate public release of the Model A will require substantial testing and demonstration of compliance with road and airspace regulations.
Furthermore, Alef provides training, maintenance, and compliance services for early testers as part of its safety and support initiatives to ensure the successful integration of these vehicles into everyday use. The company recognizes that the knowledge gained from the initial real-world testing will be crucial for scaling up their manufacturing efforts. Their Model Zero Ultralight prototype has also garnered attention, with videos demonstrating its ability to drive and lift off from city streets, paving the way for the forthcoming Model A Ultralight, as noted by FLYING Magazine.
