Five companies already producing working flying cars

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Read History Go to My Account Log Out Enhanced by Google Transportation Five companies already producing working flying cars Flying cars are gradually moving beyond science fiction as automotive and aviation companies develop vehicles capable of vertical takeoff, short

Listen to this article Share Flying cars are gradually moving beyond science fiction as automotive and aviation companies develop vehicles capable of vertical takeoff, short distance air travel and in some cases, road travel.

From electric-powered air taxis to vehicles designed to switch between roads and the skies, a growing number of companies are investing in flying vehicle technology as they pursue new opportunities in the future of transportation.

A flying car, also known as a roadable aircraft, is a vehicle designed to operate both on roads and in the air.

While some models are built to function as conventional vehicles that can transform into aircraft, others use electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology to fly without a runway.

Once considered science fiction, flying cars are gradually moving towards commercial reality, with companies developing eVTOL air taxis and roadable vehicles that combine automotive and aviation technologies.

The flying car market is currently shaped by three distinct design approaches: eVTOL air taxis, roadable aircraft and automotive thrusters.

eVTOL air taxis resemble oversized consumer drones, using multiple electric rotors to take off and land vertically, much like helicopters, before transitioning to forward flight. Designed primarily for passenger transportation, these vehicles are intended for air travel rather than conventional road use.

Then there is roadable aircraft, designed to operate both on roads and in the air, with features such as foldable wings or retractable rotors. Alef Aeronautics, for instance, is developing a road-legal vehicle capable of transforming into an aircraft, while XPeng has opened pre-orders for its dual-mode Land Aircraft Carrier, which combines a ground vehicle with a separate flying module.

There is also Automotive Thrusters, a hybrid approach that combines conventional car technology with limited aerial capabilities.

Tesla’s planned 2028 Roadster has been associated with cold-gas thrusters designed to provide brief bursts of lift, potentially enabling the vehicle to rise above the ground and clear small obstacles. However, this concept is not designed to support sustained flight or hovering like a conventional aircraft.

While engineering prototypes are advancing rapidly, several major challenges such as regulation and traffic control, licensing, noise pollution, and price remain before flying cars can become practical for everyday use.

Most legitimate flying cars require the operator to hold both a valid driver’s license and a private pilot’s license, heavily restricting who can legally operate them.

Early adoption is also strictly for the ultra-wealthy. Current pre-orders for roadable concepts average around $300,000, making them luxury novelties rather than true replacements for commuter cars.

While challenges around regulation, cost and infrastructure remain, several companies have moved beyond concept designs to develop functional flying vehicles, with some conducting test flights and others preparing for commercial deployment.

In no particular order, here are five companies already producing working flying cars.

Alef Aeronautics is a California-based startup founded in 2015 that is developing the Model A, a dual-purpose electric vehicle designed to both drive on regular roads and fly vertically.

The Alef Model A is a two-seat, all-electric vehicle that looks like a normal car and can park in standard spaces. It features a distributed electric propulsion with eight internal mesh-covered propellers.

During takeoff, the vehicle rises vertically like a drone or helicopter. Once airborne, it tilts sideways so that the left and right sides of the car body act as the top and bottom wings of a biplane, while the spherical cabin rotates to keep occupants facing forward.

Klein Vision and AeroMobil are two Slovakian pioneers in the development of roadable flying cars, both heavily shaped by designer Štefan Klein.

The Klein Vision AirCar is a sports-coupe style, four-wheeled car that automatically transforms into an aircraft in under 80–120 seconds using over 20 servo motors capable of flying between traditional runways.

In road mode, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph). In flight mode, it can travel up to 250 km/h (155 mph), reach altitudes of 10,000 feet and cover a distance of approximately 1,000 km (621 miles) on a single flight.

The AirCar is powered by V6 aircraft/automotive engines, such as Adept or BMW options ranging from 140 HP to 280+ HP, and needs a 300-meter runway to take off (not a vertical take-off/eVTOL vehicle).

Xpeng AeroHT rebranded as Aridge, is a flying car division of the Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, which includes a product line of the XPENG X2 and the Land Aircraft Carrier.

The XPENG X2 is a fifth-generation electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can carry two passengers. With a maximum speed of 130 km/h (approximately 81 mph) and a flight time of 35 minutes.

It uses advanced sensors for ground monitoring, and is equipped with 360-degree environmental awareness, allowing it to navigate through complex urban landscapes with ease.

The Land Aircraft Carrier consists of two main parts, the ground module, known as the Mothership, and the flight module. This modular approach allows for seamless transitions between driving and flying, providing versatility for users.

Joby Aviation is an American aerospace company founded in 2009 that is developing all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to operate as a commercial air taxi service.

The aircraft can accommodate one pilot and four passengers, cruise at speeds of up to 200 mph (approximately 322 km/h) and cover a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. It is powered by six electric motors driving six tilting rotors, enabling vertical take-off and landing before transitioning to horizontal flight.

The aircraft is fully electric, producing zero operating emissions, and is designed to operate at noise levels of around 45 A-weighted decibels (dBA), quieter than a typical conversation.

Archer Aviation is an aerospace and defense company based in San Jose, California. Its primary flying car is the Midnight, an all-electric eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft designed to operate as a low-altitude air taxi.

The aircraft can carry one pilot and four passengers and is powered by 12 electric propellers. Six front tilt-propellers shift from vertical to horizontal flight, while the remaining six fixed propellers support take-off and landing. It can reach top speeds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h), with a range of up to 100 miles, making it suitable for short urban trips of about 20 to 50 miles.

Designed with noise reduction in mind, the aircraft produces approximately 65 decibels during take-off and landing. Its manufacturer says the design is intended to make it significantly quieter than a traditional helicopter.

Juliet Onyema is a transport journalist who reports on Nigeria’s transport and automobile industry. She covers emerging Electric Vehicles (EVs), ranging from adoption to usage, automobile firms and transport policies which affect them, and also recurring trends affecting commuters’ mobility interstate and intrastate.