Power
Tesla and SpaceX partner for flying car project
Tesla and SpaceX have launched a joint venture to build an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle combining road and air capabilities.
Key points
- The partnership targets urban air mobility with a hybrid vehicle codenamed 'CyberFlight'.
- Tesla will provide battery systems and autonomous software, while SpaceX contributes aerospace engineering.
- Prototypes are planned for testing within three years, with commercial targets set for the early 2030s.
What happened
According to BusinessDay reporting, Tesla Inc. and SpaceX have formed an alliance to create a dual-mode transport vehicle capable of driving on roads and flying. Named 'CyberFlight', the initiative merges Tesla's battery and autonomous driving technology with SpaceX's materials and propulsion expertise.
Why it matters
The collaboration aims to enter the urban air mobility market with a four-seater vehicle that operates as an autonomous car before transitioning to flight. Leadership from both firms stated that integrating ground autonomy and aerospace systems marks a logical progression for sustainable transport.
What comes next
Initial operations will be managed through a joint venture based in Austin, Texas, backed by funding from both corporate balance sheets. Developers plan to begin prototype testing in three years, though analysts note that regulatory certification and dual-mode complexity present significant hurdles.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
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Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
