World's first flying car begins production in US

The Alef Model A Ultralight has entered production, with Alef Aeronautics describing the vehicle as the world’s first flying car. The hand-assembled, all-electric car is being built at the company’s facility in Silicon Valley, California. It can be driven on roads like a normal electric car and, when requested, can take off and fly using eight propellers hidden in the boot and bonnet.

On the ground, four small motors in the wheels power drive, while eight propellers provide lift for flight. The Model A has a carbon-fibre mesh body measuring roughly five meters by two meters, and the design allows air to pass through while keeping the spinning blades safely covered. The company says the car will seat the pilot and one passenger and has a ground range of about 200 miles and an air range of about 110 miles.

The car weighs 385 kg (850 lb) and is structured to fit the ultralight low-speed vehicle category, which in some jurisdictions caps road speed at 25 mph (40 km/h). The Model A is designed as a road-legal vehicle that can also operate as an aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing without wings.

Alef says the first customers will receive the cars to test under very controlled conditions. Each vehicle requires months of craftsmanship and extensive testing before delivery, and buyers will undergo training in compliance and maintenance before they are permitted to fly. Production is described as a limited, staged rollout to identify and address any issues before broader deployment.

The company also notes that the Model A’s initial unit cost is high, with about 3,500 pre-orders cited as worth more than £800 million. Alef envisions eventual automation of the production line, but for now the hand-built approach limits the number that can be produced and tested.

Industry context surrounding Alef’s release points to a broader push into electric vertical take-off and landing and personal flight. High-profile investors have backed other ventures pursuing flying taxis, including Larry Page’s Alphabet-affiliated efforts and startups such as Kitty Hawk and Zee Aero. Competitors and collaborators have showcased autonomous, electric air taxis and concepts from firms like AirSpaceX and Airbus, while Uber previously discussed airborne ride-hailing plans. Alef positions the Model A not as a taxi service but as a true flying car that can operate on public roads and in the air, underscoring its aim to bridge science-fiction-style mobility with practical, road-legal use. While enthusiasts anticipate a future with more accessible flying cars, Alef acknowledges that the rollout remains controlled and incremental as the company continues testing and certification efforts. The company has previously hinted that at scale the cost could fall toward more affordable levels, potentially around £25,000 per unit when mass production is achieved.

Overall, Alef’s announcement marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of personal aviation and automotive technology. Regulatory approvals, safety testing, and consumer education will shape how quickly customers can transition from demonstration flights to regular use, but the company says the first units are moving from the Hangar to the test track as planned.