On February 19th, 2025, Alef Aeronautics’ test model, the “Model Zero,” took flight for the first time, even flying over another vehicle. This road-legal passenger car is capable of both vertical takeoff and forward flight. The Alef founding team Dr. Constantine Kisly (VP of Engineering), Oleg Petrov (VP of R&D), Pavel Markin (VP of Electronics), and Jim Dukhovny (CEO), brings over 70 years of experience in engineering and technology to this groundbreaking vehicle.
No Airports or Vertiports Required
Unlike traditional aircraft, the Alef flying car doesn’t need airports or vertiports for takeoff. It is the first car with vertical takeoff capabilities to receive FAA permission to fly in the United States through an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate. This allows the vehicle to drive on city roads and vertically take off when needed, offering unparalleled mobility and convenience.
Energy-Efficient and 100% Electric
The Alef flying car is 100% electric. According to the company, it uses less energy per trip than Tesla or other electric vehicles, as well as less energy than eVTOL air taxis. This energy efficiency makes it a sustainable choice for both driving and flying, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions.
From Model Zero to Model A
The current model, “Model Zero,” is designed solely for research and development. Incremental improvements aim to evolve this prototype into Alef’s first consumer product, the “Model A.” The Model A features a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles. Its gimbaled cabin design and elevon system ensure a smooth and stable ride, both on the road and in the air.
Safety and Advanced Features
The Model A has no exposed propellers, enhancing safety, reducing noise, and saving space. The vehicle also includes Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), triple to octuple redundancy of all key components, real-time thousand-point diagnostics, pre-flight reject start diagnostics, obstacle detection and avoidance, glide landing, and a full-vehicle ballistic parachute.
Consumer Availability and Future Plans
The Alef Model A is available for pre-sale to consumers at a price of $299,999. Looking ahead, Alef plans to introduce the Model Z in 2035, priced at $35,000. The Model Z is projected to have a flight range of 200 miles and a driving range of 400 miles, along with autonomous flight capabilities, offering an accessible and innovative transportation solution for the future.
Source: Alef Aeronautics
