SpaceX, known for its groundbreaking achievements in spaceflight, Elon Musk memes, and giant rockets, has recently invested in Alef Aeronautics, a startup focused on developing flying cars. While this investment does not guarantee the startup's success, it significantly boosts its credibility, especially compared to other flying car projects not backed by SpaceX.
Alef Aeronautics has had enormous amounts of press, showing off a unique approach to the flying car concept. Their design, resembling something out of "The Jetsons" rather than a conventional helicopter or small plane, stands out in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) market as the Model A.
The price tag of $300,000 for an Alef flying car places it beyond the reach of the average consumer. But then again, Apple’s Vision Pro was $3500 and look how well that is doing. Despite all of this, the company has managed to secure 2,850 preorders, requiring just a $150 refundable deposit for a reservation. This suggests a strong interest, even though it's uncertain how many of these reservations will convert into sales at the full price.
Alef Aeronautics claims that the Model A has become the best-selling aircraft in history based on preorder numbers, surpassing industry giants like Boeing and Airbus. However, CEO Jim Dukhovny's (not the X-files guy) statement seems premature since these preorders have yet to translate into completed sales.
While there's skepticism around the feasibility of the Model A reaching production and market success, the company's ambitions extend beyond flying cars. Alef is also developing a conventional electric car, the Model Z, slated for a 2035 release. This long timeline raises questions about the company's planning and future in the electric vehicle space.
Alef's Model A is designed for both road and air travel, equipped with four small engines for driving and eight propellers for flight, allowing it to navigate in any direction. The vehicle can reach cruising speeds of 110 mph in the air and is limited to 25-35 mph on the road. Double-take - I guess you can’t drive it on most roads? An innovative feature allows the Model A to turn onto its side and operate as a biplane during flight, with a cockpit that swivels to keep the driver facing forward.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Alef's future and the commercial viability of the Model A, the company's vision and the backing of influential investors like Tim Draper from Tesla's early days hint at the potential for innovation. Whether or not we'll see the Model A in the skies remains to be seen, but the project reflects the ongoing evolution of transportation, reminding us that today's dreams can become tomorrow's reality.
Pre-order this bad boy: https://alef.aero/preorder.html