New Flying Car Revealed in the UAE That Can Fly Up to 500 km

On Thursday, a Holland-based mobility solution provider, PAL-V, showcased its flying car at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). The two-seater fly-drive requires a 250-meter strip to take off and has foldable propellers to convert it into a regular car.

The base model of this flying car from PAL-V is priced at $800,000 (AED 2.9 million) and is expected to make its first flight in 2027 following approvals from the local authorities. Currently, the payload capacity for this flying car is limited to two passengers and 20 kg of luggage. With its current engine setup, it can fly up to a distance of 500 km on a full fuel tank.

It flies at low altitudes and can be useful in helping doctors reach their destinations faster in case of an emergency. It can also be used in border patrolling, coast guarding, and other military operations. Robert Dingemanse, the CEO and co-founder of PAL-V, stated that the car offers door-to-door mobility and can use existing infrastructure and regulations to operate.

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He also stated that the flying car is faster than any other mode of transport and cost-effective from an operational viewpoint, while more affordable than a helicopter. Reaching every sport is possible, as landing nearby is fine, and a drive option is always available. It gets the same range and speed as helicopters but is safer.

By unveiling this future mobility solution, the PAL-V chief aims to get the most orders from the UAE government entities. He also stated that the UAE-based Jetex has booked over 100 PAL-V flying cars, and the brand already has over 150 million euros worth of pre-bookings.

Currency, Archer Aviation, and Joby are discussing launching flying taxis in the UAE later this year or early next year. Archer has said it will commence test flights of its Midnight aircraft in the UAE in the summer before the official rollout of taxi operations. In January 2025, the UAE's first commercial vertiport for flying taxis was named Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), representing Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

PAL-V aims to introduce four-seater and eco-friendly flying cars to offer customers more practical and feasible options in the coming years.