--- title: $750m reasons we’re getting ever closer to flying cars becoming a reality - The Hustle description: Alef Aeronautics is inching ever closer to a viable flying car. Now what? image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/512068061-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-alef_20230807231323.webp --- # $750m reasons we’re getting ever closer to flying cars becoming a reality ![Ben Berkley](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Ben Berkley](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/ben-berkley) Published: August 08, 2023 Updated: October 11, 2023 You’re going to hear a lot about Alef Aeronautics over the next few years. ![Alef vehicle](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/512068061-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-alef_20230807231323.webp?width=595&height=400&name=512068061-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-alef_20230807231323.webp) The Bay Area startup hopes that’ll take the form of breathless headlines about “The Jetsons” come to life, marking steady progress toward its ultimate goal: building and selling the world’s first flying car. We’ll be happy with anything that doesn’t involve the words “accident” or “collision.” #### **What’s new with Alef?** Eight years into its development, Alef has had a momentous summer, [per](https://www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article/flying-car-alef-startup-18252961.php) the *San Francisco Chronicle*: - It has banked $750m+ in preorders for its ~$300k flying cars. (Customers can make a $150 deposit today — or $1.5k for a better spot in line.) - In June, Alef logged a landmark in flying-car history, gaining Federal Aviation Administration approval to run flight tests in limited locations. - The company anticipates a public demonstration by year’s end. #### **What you’ll see** Alef’s vehicle is fully electric, can fly 110 miles on one charge, and — with apologies to designer Hirash Razaghi, of Bugatti and Jaguar fame — looks like a giant wireless mouse born of Logitech’s wildest dreams. One big differentiator from other flying vehicles in development: Alef’s Model A doesn’t need to be airborne to get around — it can operate on most roads (limited to ~25 mph) and fit into standard parking spots. It has two seats, four motors, and achieves vertical liftoff through its eight propellers and retractable mesh wings. #### **What’s next?** Alef plans to start selling cars in 2025, but some big questions will need answering first: - Will a regular driver’s license suffice to operate one? - Will cities allow them? And with what rules governing their aerial roadways? - How many times will Alef need to confirm that, yes, each car has a parachute for emergency landings before we get in one? 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