November 2025 Optimism Corner

Optimism Corner

By Robert S. Loeb

November 2025

In our July edition of Optimism Corner, we highlighted new inventions like the driverless car. We also teased that we’d follow up with an update on “flying taxis.”

“Flying cars” are no longer just science fiction — they’re becoming real prototypes and early commercial models, though we’re still a few years away from mainstream use (see this Wall Street Journal video).

Here’s a clear breakdown:

What a Flying Car Actually Is

A flying car is a vehicle that can both drive on roads and fly in the air — either like a small airplane or using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology.

There are two main types:

1. Hybrid road–air vehicles (can drive and fly — like the PAL-V Liberty or Alef Model A)

2. eVTOL “air taxis” (fly only, no road driving — like Joby Aviation or Archer’s Midnight)

Who’s Building Them

Here are some major projects currently underway:

Company	Country	Vehicle	Stage/Timeline
Alef Aeronautics	USA	Model A	Road + air vehicle; expects limited release ~2026
PAL-V	Netherlands	Liberty	Licensed as a road vehicle in Europe; awaiting full flight certification
Joby Aviation	USA	Joby eVTOL	FAA testing; aiming for air-taxi service by 2025–26
Archer Aviation	USA	Midnight	Signed deals with United Airlines for city flights by ~2026
Xpeng AeroHT	China	Land-Air Flying Car	Completed manned test flights; plans commercial rollout before 2030
SkyDrive	Japan	SD-05	Demo planned for the 2025 Osaka Expo

What’s Holding Flying Cars Back

1. Safety certification — Civil aviation authorities (like the FAA and EASA) are still testing and developing regulations for these new types of vehicles.

2. Infrastructure — Cities need vertiports (mini-helipads) and low-altitude air-traffic management systems.

3. Cost — Early models range from $200,000–$600,000+, so they’ll launch as luxury or fleet products.

4. Noise and public acceptance — eVTOLs are quieter than helicopters but still raise noise and privacy concerns.

5. Battery limits — Flight times for electric models remain short (typically 15–30 minutes).

When We’ll Really See Them

· 2025–2026: Limited demos and city pilot programs (Dubai, Osaka, Los Angeles, Singapore)

· 2027–2030: Commercial air-taxi services in select major cities

· Post-2030: Broader consumer or shared-use options, once safety standards and infrastructure mature

In short:

Robotaxis are beginning to appear in a few cities now.

Flying cars will likely emerge in select high-tech zones within the next five years — but not yet in everyday traffic.

Stay tuned for more updates. And remember: our investment thesis is built on long-term optimism that innovation and technology will continue to advance and propel us forward — and the next generation of travel is a great example of that.

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