California-based Alef Aeronautics released a video on Thursday showing its electric flying car soaring over a Tesla Roadster, welcoming the automaker to what it calls the “flying car race.”

The company said the demonstration marked its 1,000th logged flight. It follows an earlier video showing Alef’s Model Zero Ultralight driving and flying, including a flight over a Tesla Cybertruck.

Alef used the latest demonstration to highlight the differences between its aircraft and Tesla’s proposed thruster-equipped Roadster, while promoting its progress toward limited customer deliveries.

“Welcome, Tesla, to the flying car race; we’ve been here alone for eleven years,” said Jim Dukhovny, Alef’s CEO.

The company also claimed that the “Tesla Roadster today became the second flying car in history, following Alef.” 

Both vehicles use electric powertrains and all-wheel drive, according to Alef. They also share an early investor, Tim Draper. Their approaches to getting airborne differ. Alef uses distributed electric propulsion, while the Tesla Roadster is expected to use thrusters.

Alef’s design incorporates a wing-forming body and a rotating cabin. The company said its vehicle uses air for liftoff rather than relying on stored compressed gas. According to Alef, its lower vehicle weight also allows it to incorporate a “full-vehicle ballistic parachute.”

Alef’s concept combines road travel with vertical takeoff and landing. Its intended ability to drive and park gives it a different use case from aircraft designed solely for flight.

The company developed its first flying-car prototype in 2019. In 2022, it unveiled its first full-size Model A prototype and announced a driving range of 220 miles and a flight range of 110 miles.

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