Space X-Backed Flying Car To Take Off In 2025

Fans of the 1997 movie, The Fifth Element, may have dreamed of having a flying car along the lines of Bruce Willis’ taxi in the film. Now, anyone dreaming of owning a flying vehicle could soon get their chance as a Space X-backed flying car is set to launch in 2025. However, understandably, it won’t exactly come cheap, but you can put a deposit down while looking forward to a new driving future.

Space X-backed flying car coming in 2025

A flying car model, backed by a former executive with Tesla and Space X, is coming in 2025. However, before you get too excited, this car will cost you almost $300,000 and so far, there are almost 3,000 pre-orders.

Meanwhile, the price could decrease significantly in the coming years, but the first unit is expected to take to the sky (and the road) at some stage next year. Tim Draper invested almost $3 million in Tesla and Space X, which allowed him to get in early.

Speaking to Reuters in 2022, Draper said, “I put more (money in) when I saw that they had created a small drone prototype that did exactly what they told me it would do,” adding:

The design is extraordinary. The sides of the car become the wings when the plane goes horizontal.

Pre-orders are taking off

According to the Silicon Valley-based startup, Alef Aeronautics has pre-orders for its Model A that total more than $850 million. The 850-pound, two-seat flying car was first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2023. The vehicle is an electrical vertical takeout and landing vehicle (eVTOL) and is capable of speeds of 110 miles per hour in the air. However, it can also be driven on the ground at up to 35 miles per hour.

Right now, readers can put one on hold for a fully refundable deposit of $150, but clearly, the price of the car will be high.

The flying car is airworthy

According to the New York Post, the Model A of the flying car has been granted a Special Airworthiness Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. However, the vehicle still needs approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Moreover, routes for flying the car still have to be determined.

Meanwhile, Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics told CNBC that he does expect regulatory approval for what he terms the “first flying car in history,” saying:

If everything goes right, we plan to start production of the first one by the end of 2025.

One feature that sets the car apart from earlier versions is how it flies. Once the vehicle lifts off the ground, the cockpit swivels and the carbon-fiber body turns over on its side. It then moves forward, driven by a set of propellers.

What also makes Model A different is that other recent attempts by competitors were more like giant drones. They wouldn’t be capable of wheeled travel on the ground. There was talk recently of flying taxis being available in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, but images released make them look like drones.

According to Alef, the Model A will have an estimated driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 100 miles.

What with AI  available and now flying cars, the world is gradually catching up with the best science fiction movies.