When do we get to drive flying cars?

Flying cars already exist, but not the “roads” and regulations.

Companies such as Alef Aeronautics and Kuickwheel are showing progress in flying car manufacturing.
Some flying vehicle companies already allow people to pre-order cars and motorcycles.
Experts say that building a flying vehicle is not enough, as regulations and infrastructure still need to be established.

While many jokes circulate about when we’ll finally be able to use flying cars, even with the current technological advances, we’ll still have to wait. But for how long? And will we ever see a day when we will own such a vehicle?

What could seem like a faraway dream is becoming closer to reality as more companies develop prototypes of flying cars and even motorcycles.

At the beginning of this year, Alef Aeronautics, an American automotive and aviation company, presented its Model A electric vehicle. This 2-in-1 car can travel on the road and in the air. The company has been working on flying cars since 2015.

Recently, a Chinese company, Kuickwheel, also revealed that it’s working on a flying motorcycle, the Skyrider X6, which resembles a drone.

What’s interesting about both of these examples is that the car and the motorcycle, while still in prototype stage, are already available for pre-order. For example, the Model A car is expected to be sold for $300,000, with some consumers already standing in a pre-order “priority queue” for $1500 or in a “general queue” for $150.

It’s been reported that Skyride3r X6, priced at $69,000, is also available for pre-order through Chinese websites.

Does that mean we’re getting close to having flying cars in our garages?

While the first flying cars are under development and already being tested, their use in everyday settings requires further changes in regulations, road infrastructure, and driver training.

Alef Model A flying car — Image by Alef Aeronautics

Breaking through regulatory and infrastructure barriers

When it comes to the work that still has to be done in order for us to literally reach the heights, Rob Dillan, the founder of EVhype, an online platform dedicated to mapping EV charging stations across the US and Canada, notes that there are a number of “regulatory barriers.”

“The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just unveiled a new aircraft category for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) planes, but there is no timeline for commercial passenger fare use,” notes Dillan.

While we can now use land infrastructure without much thought, the same road conditions must be created in the air.

“It can’t be a 'fly anywhere, anytime' free-for-all. There will need to be defined airborne routes, like roads in the sky, and the systems to manage that level of traffic simply don’t exist today,” explains Craig Melrose, Global Managing Partner of Advanced Technologies with HTEC.

Another important matter to consider is how these flying vehicles will be fueled.

“If flying cars run on high-octane fuel, there’s currently no refinery capacity to support that, and converting refining systems would require major capital investment,” explains Melrose, also adding that electric flying cars would also pose a problem because of the weight of their batteries.

“Heavier batteries limit lift and range, and recharging infrastructure would need to be reimagined for locations very different from today’s roadside EV charging stations,” shared Melrose.

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How will consumers have to adapt to flying cars?

Even with transportation and roads in place, one more matter to consider before turning this idea into a reality is how we, as consumers, will adapt to the changes.

“[...] If flying cars are to be a socially acceptable mode of transport, people will have to get used to changing licences, safety procedures, traffic laws,” notes Dillan.

While it might be hard to imagine how the process of getting a driver’s license for a flying car would look, Melrose also points out that consumers will have concerns about how having such a vehicle would impact their everyday lives.

“We’ll also need to rethink basic facilities. Parking garages, for example, may become obsolete. [...] Existing garages likely won’t accommodate flying vehicles, meaning new structures or outdoor solutions will be needed,” explained the expert.

Skyrider flying motorcycle — Image by Cybernews

Leading companies in flying vehicle manufacturing

While it might seem that flying cars are still another century away, Dillan gives a little hope that it could happen sooner, stating: “while full-scale adoption can last 10 to 20 years, the trajectory toward flying cars is becoming increasingly tangible.”

To make this waiting time a little more interesting, we asked Dillan what companies are worth following to see the latest updates in the flying vehicle industry.

Alef Aeronautics is already known for its Model AI car, which has received regulatory clearances and is in late-stage testing.
KleinVision has presented Aircar, a two-seat flying car that has already completed inter-city flights and is undergoing certification for commercial operations.
Joby Aviation is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft intended to serve as an air taxi. The aircraft has been under more than 1000 test flights as it's working its way to receive FAA certification.