On February 26th, the automotive and aviation company Alef Aeronautics successfully tested its flying car, keeping it in the air for 40 seconds. This milestone has brought humanity one step closer to a future imagined in science fiction, whether in the world of Meet the Robinsons or Harry Potter.
However, while the Federal Aviation Administration granted it a Special Airworthiness Certificate – the first for a vehicle capable of both flying and driving – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not approve it for road testing. For that reason, the Alef Aeronautics team had to close off the test site so no actual cars or pedestrians were present during the trial .
Moreover, the strict media restrictions on launch day have raised concerns on its legitimacy, with the video being dismissed as fake and the company a hoax. The video has received backlash from netizens on Facebook, who have commented “ame special effects as Back to the Future” or “it’s just a drone with a net on it.” Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, stated that the company aims to begin production between 2025 and 2026, though there might be potential delays. Despite this, the company has already secured 3,000 pre-orders.
The car, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle, is also called a Model Zero Ultralight flying car. Its intent is to take off vertically and tilt sideways to fly similarly like a biplane, with a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour. However, questions remain regarding safety, regulations, and the practical application of flying cars. For example, how can flying cars ensure the safety of its passengers and drivers around them? However, to counter that, Dukhovny has stated that “we’re obsessed with safety,” and that it is key to the car’s development.
According to research, the Alef Model A’s design incorporates several safety features to ensure passenger and environmental protection. It uses distributed electric propulsion (DEP) with eight motors for redundancy, allowing for a safe flight even if some of the propellers fail. Additionally, a ballistic parachute system provides an emergency backup in case of critical failure, slowing descent and reducing impact. Furthermore, the vehicle is also equipped with advanced obstacle detection and avoidance systems to prevent collisions during both flying and driving.
Featured image courtesy of Brut India (2025).
