How close are we to flying cars? Pretty close, executive says(NewsNation) — The California manufacturer of a flying electric car says its vehicles are expected to be delivered to customers within a year, maybe sooner.Jim Dukhovny is CEO and co-founder of Alef Aeronautics, a Silicon Valley-based company that has developed lightweight, multi-purpose vehicles, which reportedly cost $300,000 apiece.On the road, he said, the vehicle handles like any other car, although much of its body is mesh that covers propellers. Rather than having one engine, there are four small engines attached to the wheels.AdvertisementAdvertisement 'Flying taxi' technology edging closer with help from Department of Transportation "It is safer than any traditional aircraft, and it's safer than any traditional car — mathematically," Dukhovny told "Jesse Weber Live" on Tuesday.He sought to tamp down expectations that customers whose vehicles are stuck in traffic jams will be able to take off at a whim and fly over other motorists.The cars must take off from a designated "safe area," such as the side of a highway."You would fly over the traffic … You would again land in a safe area," Dukhovny explained. "You will get back on the highway, and you will continue driving."AdvertisementAdvertisementCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.