Europe approves first flying car to hit the roads (and skies)
A flying car was approved for use on roads in the European Union.
The Liberty by Netherlands-based firm Pal-V has been in development since 2012. The largest obstacle for the company is the fact that road and aerial regulations weren’t designed to accommodate a vehicle that can do both.
“So, making this jigsaw puzzle where you can fit both regulations is a very, very big puzzle, which in the end ends up with about 5,000 requirements,” CEO Robert Dingemanse told the Associated Press.
The Liberty is a two-seater with three wheels and a gyroplane. Drivers will need a pilot’s license to operate the unique vehicle. It can drive up to 100 miles per hour, fly up to 112 miles per hour and can fly 310 miles on one tank of fuel. It’s powered by a propeller and looks similar to a helicopter in flight. But once landed the propeller folds away and its tail retracts for driving.
“The segment where you combine flying and driving is a very important segment in these applications. We are the first in that and there is more to follow,” Dingemanse told the Associated Press.
The company said it experienced an increase in interest and demand due to the pandemic.
“Because with a Pal-V, you can travel, two of you being one party, without any infection risk, which is very compelling to people at the moment,” Dingemanse said.
Each of the first 90 limited edition Liberty will cost $583,515 and the standardized version will be about $466.812 after that.
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