Alef Aeronautics has released a video showing its Model A flying car prototype taking off, flying over four vehicles and landing again, shortly after Tesla presented its latest Roadster concept featuring flight-related capabilities.
The California-based startup included an older Tesla Roadster among the vehicles in the demonstration and used the footage to comment on Tesla’s entry into the flying-car discussion.
“Welcome, Tesla, to the flying car race; we’ve been here alone for eleven years.”
Alef said the flight marked the 1,000th recorded flight of its prototype. The company also referred to the Tesla Roadster in a separate statement:
“Tesla Roadster today became the second flying car in history, following Alef”.
The statements reflect Alef’s own characterisation of the demonstration. The two companies are pursuing different vehicle concepts, and the video does not establish that either vehicle is ready for commercial use.
Alef’s Road-and-Air Vehicle Concept
Founded in 2015, Alef Aeronautics is developing the Model A as a two-seat, fully electric vehicle designed to operate on public roads and take off and land vertically.
The company publicly introduced the concept in 2023, listing a projected road range of 200 miles (approximately 322 kilometres) and a flight range of 110 miles (approximately 177 kilometres). These figures are manufacturer-provided specifications and have not been independently verified here.
In 2023, Alef announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the Model A prototype, permitting limited flight operations subject to applicable conditions. The certificate does not, by itself, authorise unrestricted commercial passenger services or general road use.
Alef has disclosed limited technical information about the vehicle’s systems and has not confirmed a timeline for large-scale commercial production.
Tesla Roadster Presentation Draws Comparisons
Tesla’s latest Roadster presentation has also attracted attention for its proposed flight-related capabilities. The concept was shown with cold-gas compressed-air thrusters, although detailed specifications and the final production configuration remain unclear.
The Roadster’s development has extended well beyond its original unveiling. The latest presentation provided limited new information about its final design, performance or production schedule.
Alef’s prototype, by comparison, has been shown performing short-duration flights. However, the available footage does not establish its full flight range, road performance, commercial certification status or readiness for mass production.
Commercial Readiness Remains Unclear
The two projects represent different approaches to combining automotive and aviation technology. Alef is developing a vehicle intended for both road use and vertical flight, while Tesla has presented flight-related features as part of its Roadster concept.
Alef’s latest video provides another demonstration of its prototype’s ability to take off and land. Further information on technical performance, regulatory approvals, production plans and commercial availability will be needed to assess the prospects for either concept.
