SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – The future is one step closer as the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a special airworthiness certificate to a California startup building what it describes as a flying car.
The vehicle, created by Alef Automotive and named “Model A,” is the first fully electric vehicle that can fly and travel on public roads to receive US government approval.
Model A not only drives like a regular car, but it also is equipped with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. It will reportedly be able to carry one or two occupants at least 200 miles by road and 110 miles by air, according to the company.
The company is expected to begin delivering the $300,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, being that nothing stops production, the company shared in a press release.
The FAA has confirmed that Alef Automotive was issued a special airworthiness certificate, which will allow it to conduct exhibition, research, and development.
“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. This is a one small step for planes, one giant step for cars,” Jim Dukhovny, the CEO of Alef, shared in a statement.
The FAA did highlight that the vehicle from Alef is not the first of its kind to receive a special airworthiness certificate. However, it is the first to show the ability to function on roads and in the air while appearing like a normal car.
Alef Automotive says that the flying car will be certified to operate as a “low-speed vehicle,” meaning it can only go up to 25 miles per hour on a paved road.
“The assumption is that, if a driver needs a faster route, a driver will use Alef’s flight capabilities,” the company posted on the site.
However, before the vehicle can travel on roads, it will need approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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