A new era of mobility is edging closer to reality. San Mateo-based Alef has signed agreements with the Half Moon Bay and Hollister airports to begin test operations of the world’s first true flying car.
The tests will integrate Alef’s flying car into real-world aviation environments, allowing the company to see how its vehicles operate alongside traditional aircraft in air traffic. Both airports could eventually serve as permanent bases for flying car fleets, Alef hinted, marking an early step toward wider adoption of electric aviation.
The company plans to start trials with its Model Zero Ultralight, later expanding to other Model Zero versions and eventually the commercial-ready Model A. Earlier this year, Alef shared a video of the Ultralight “jumping” over another vehicle.
Alef has been working on its flying car concept for nearly ten years, with the Model A as its first consumer-focused product. According to the company, test operations will cover the full range of features: driving, vertical takeoff, forward flight, vertical landing, and seamless ground-air maneuvering.
Since the Model Zero Ultralight is officially classified as an ultralight vehicle, it avoids the need for full FAA certification. However, that also imposes certain limits such as only flying during daylight hours and avoiding dense urban areas.
The company’s vehicles will be fully electric, boasting a 200-mile driving range and 110-mile flight range. When first revealed in 2022, the prototype Model A sparked global interest online.
“On average, the Alef flying car uses less energy per trip than a Tesla or any other EV,” the company said in a press release.
CEO Jim Dukhovny highlighted Alef’s hybrid approach: “Alef first and foremost is a car, using the automotive infrastructure, automotive business model, and automotive market. The novelty is integrating a car into the aviation infrastructure and air traffic.”
He added that working within smaller, non-towered airports would help regulators, operators, and pilots understand how electric flying cars could operate at scale: “Electric aviation is more environmentally friendly, quieter, and requires less space, hence it is good to see Silicon Valley airports embracing electric aviation.”
Interest is already strong: Alef reports over 3,300 pre-orders for its fully electric flying car, expected to cost around $300,000. Buyers can place a deposit of $150 for a standard pre-order or $1,500 to secure priority access.
