Alef Aeronautics Tests Flying Car on California Road

Alef Aeronautics just dropped jaw-dropping video of its electric car soaring over another vehicle on a California street. The company hails it as the first urban test of a car that can drive and take off vertically. This futuristic leap blends sci-fi dreams with real-world engineering. Based in San Mateo Alef aims to revolutionize how we move through crowded cities. The footage has drivers and tech fans buzzing about what’s possible.

The test unfolded on a quiet road near Alef’s headquarters. Their Model A prototype rolled along like any sedan. Then it paused and lifted straight up over a parked car. No runway needed just a smooth vertical ascent. Powered by electric motors it hovered briefly before landing. Alef’s team cheered this as a breakthrough for urban mobility. They’ve worked years to make a car that flies without wings or giant propellers.

Alef isn’t new to this game. Founded in 2015 by engineers and dreamers it unveiled Model A in 2022. The sleek two-seater runs on batteries and uses eight small rotors. On the ground it tops out at 110 miles per hour. In the air it can hit 25 miles high. The firm says it’s street-legal and meets federal safety rules. Over 2800 pre-orders have rolled in at $300000 a pop. Deliveries are slated for late 2025 if all goes well.

This isn’t just a stunt. Alef wants to ease gridlock in places like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Imagine skipping rush hour by lifting off from your driveway. CEO Jim Dukhovny calls it a fix for urban sprawl and climate woes. Electric power cuts emissions compared to gas-guzzling traffic. Supporters see it as a bold step toward greener cleaner cities. Skeptics wonder if skies can handle a flood of flying cars.

The California test wasn’t flawless. Video shows a stable flight but details are sparse. How long did it fly. How high did it go. Alef hasn’t said yet. Reportedly the car stayed low and landed fast. Regulators watched closely since airspace rules are strict. The Federal Aviation Administration must sign off before Model A can soar freely. State officials also need convincing it’s safe for roads and skies alike.

Rivals aren’t sitting still. Companies like Joby Aviation and Archer chase similar dreams with their own designs. Joby’s air taxis already fly test routes. Alef stands out by merging car and aircraft into one. Its vertical lift tech draws from drones not traditional planes. Industry watchers say this could disrupt transport if it scales. Urban planners hope it cuts the need for sprawling highways too.

Not everyone’s sold. Flying cars sound thrilling but practical hurdles loom. Battery range limits how far Model A can go. Charging stations aren’t widespread yet. Noise could annoy city dwellers below. Progressives cheer the eco-angle but fret over access. At $300000 it’s a toy for the rich not struggling families. Alef insists prices will drop as production ramps up.

The buzz is undeniable. Social media lit up with clips of the test flight. Tech blogs call it a glimpse of tomorrow. Alef plans more demos to prove Model A’s chops. Dukhovny vows to tackle regulatory and tech kinks head-on. For now this California hop marks a daring bid to rethink travel. Whether it takes off or stalls the idea of driving skyward has people looking up.