This has been an exciting year for Pal-V so far, and the Dutch maker of the world’s first dual-certified flying car is preparing to end the year just as strong with a tripartite partnership that could pave the way for innovative FlyDrive mobility ecosystems throughout Europe.
Have you ever wondered about the many ways a car can fly? As crazy as that sounds, there are actually multiple ways to create a flying car, and two of the most popular models right now, the Dutch Liberty car by Pal-V, and Tesla’s Roadster 2, rely on entirely different mechanisms and technologies to reach for the sky.
Pal-V’s Liberty is centered around the FlyDrive concept, and the Dutch company envisions entire regional mobility hubs that could be built around this innovative concept. The Liberty is essentially a gyroplane built into a car, and it has recently become the world’s official flying car to be dually certified, meaning that it’s safe to ride on the road and to fly as an aircraft.
The FlyDrive concept implies that a single vehicle can switch in-between “drive” and “flying” modes securely and easily. The gyroplane design features blades that act as rotors, powerful enough to generate the lift needed to fly. In “drive” mode, these blades become invisible thanks to an ingenious, foldable design.
The 2-passenger Liberty car promises a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 kh) and a range of 817 miles (1,315 km) on the road. In the air, it lifts to a maximum altitude of 11,000 feet and is able to cover up to 310 miles (500 km).
It’s exciting to think of this futuristic vehicle as a personal flying car, and that’s how it was primarily marketed, but the FlyDrive mobility concept has a far wider range of potential applications. Emergency response, regional connectivity, business travel, and defense air mobility – all of these areas could benefit greatly from a vehicle like the Liberty.
This is why Pal-V is considering establishing FlyDrive ecosystems around Europe, with the help of regional partners. The first step was to join forces with FLYVE, another Dutch company specializing in FlyDrive mobility, and with Inter-Data Science Port Hagfors AB, an entity that was specifically created to attract new industry opportunities to the Hagfors town in Sweden.
The idea is to develop a comprehensive framework in support of future FlyDrive operations. This includes infrastructure, regulations, training, and operational aspects. Public authorities and local industry partners will be invited to participate at establishing this ecosystem, with Hagfors intended as the first official hub. Other places in Germany and Italy could soon be next.
The Liberty flying car isn’t officially for sale yet, but those who are interested can opt between two versions, the Liberty Sport Edition, and the Liberty Pioneer Edition, and contact the Pal-V sales team for details.
The Liberty Pioneer Edition is the “full option” version complete with unique exterior and interior versions, and highly customizable. Only 90 units in this Limited Edition will be available for delivery in Europe and North America, but the price tag is intimidating: €499,000 ($557,400).