Alef Automotive announced last week that the company was given a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, becoming the first electric car to receive approval to test on the road and in the air.
According to Business Insider, the certificate currently limits where the car will be allowed to fly and why, as the FAA works on policies specifically for electrical vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.
"We're excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week," Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny said in a statement. "This is a one small step for planes, one giant step for cars."
Alef Automotive claims the Model A can carry up to two passengers, take off vertically, and fly up to 110 miles, with a driving range of 200 miles. The company's website says the vehicle will be considered a "low speed vehicle," keeping it within the legal speed limit in most states.
"The assumption is that, if a driver needs a faster route, a driver will use Alef’s flight capabilities," the description reads.
Alef is currently accepting pre-orders of $150 to enter the general queue and $1,500 to be placed in the priority queue. The expected price of the Model A is $299,999. Dukhovny told CNBC Make It in December that the company is aiming to begin delivery of the vehicles by the end of 2025.
The Model A cannot be driven on the road without the approval of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as reported by CNN Business.
