American startup demos electric flying car with over 3,000 pre-orders to date

Flying cars might be the staple of sci-fi movies, but an American startup is determined to make them a reality. Alef Aeronautics has released a video of its electric Model A taking off vertically, hovering over another car, and landing vertically in California.

The Model A has been in active development since 2017. Alef Aeronautics claims it can last 220 miles on a single charge on the road and 110 miles in the air. The US Federal Aviation Administration has awarded it a Special Airworthiness Certification.

Alef Aeronautics has another video showing the Model A doing normal car things by riding on public roads. These have been enough for the company to secure 3,300 pre-orders for the wonder vehicle, with a hefty starting price of $300,000. Flying car enthusiasts can still reserve one through the company’s website with a $150 deposit, with $1,500 bumping them ahead on the queue.

Production is scheduled for later in 2025, with deliveries commencing at a later date. The startup has signed on Boeing contractors Pucara Aero and MYC to supply car parts. However, Alef Aeronautics will launch a much cheaper $35,000 “Model Z” in 2035 for people who desire flying automobiles on a budget.