When Elon Musk teased in 2014 about the possibility of a flying car, many took him seriously. After all, Musk had a knack for turning ambitious ideas into reality, from PayPal to Tesla. At that time, his net worth stood at a modest $8.4 billion compared to the staggering $413 billion he holds today. So, when a billionaire CEO discusses innovations like flying cars, it’s worth paying attention.
As Musk stated back then, “We could definitely make a flying car—but the challenge lies in making one that is super safe and quiet.” The safety and comfort of passengers, coupled with the complexity of piloting, present significant challenges that have yet to be solved.
Dreams of Cybertrucks in the Sky
Although Musk never brought a flying car to life, he hasn’t abandoned the idea completely. Recently, he hinted at the possibility again, tweeting, “Maybe Tesla should make this,” alongside an AI-generated video showcasing a Cybertruck designed to fly through a dystopian landscape populated by robots.
Maybe Tesla should make this https://t.co/9ieoqM03Wu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 19, 2025
Can Musk actually pull it off? Well, that’s a tough question to answer.
The Long History of Flying Car Promises
Flying cars have been a part of human imagination for over a century, often seen as just around the corner. From 1923 visions to prototypes in the 1950s, the idea has captured public fascination. The 1973 flying Pinto made headlines, but it ended tragically when its founders crashed during a test flight.
Despite the excitement and promise surrounding flying cars, reality often falls short. Companies continually declare they will deliver a flying car within a year, but it seems that they remain just beyond the horizon. AeroMobil, for instance, promised a flying car by 2017 but ceased operations in 2023 after failing to deliver.
The Feasibility of a Flying Cybertruck
While it’s not impossible for Musk to create a flying car, the market is another story. For individuals to pilot a roadable aircraft, they need a pilot’s license, creating a significant barrier to mass adoption. Although Musk could finance such a project, the real challenge is whether people would actually buy it.
To add context, Tesla has sold only 52,000 Cybertrucks since their launch in November 2023, far below the one million pre-orders made in 2019. This suggests obstacles such as pricing, performance, and perception are key factors in the vehicle’s underwhelming sales.
Will We Ever See a Flying Car?
Is there any hope for flying cars in the near future? Yes, but they often remain part of speculative discussions rather than actionable plans. Companies frequently proclaim they will soon release a flying car, but history has shown us that financial viability and consumer interest must align for it to happen.
How close are we to getting flying cars? Despite the technological advancements made in recent years, significant regulatory and engineering challenges still exist. This complex landscape makes the promise of flying cars a hard sell, at least for the time being.
Are there already flying cars in existence? Yes, but they often cater to specialized markets or enthusiasts rather than everyday consumers. It’s unclear if and when a viable mass-market flying vehicle will emerge.
Should we trust Musk’s latest claim about flying cars? As with many of his announcements, there’s plenty of hype, but turning an idea into reality involves more than just enthusiasm. The complexities involved make these ventures challenging.
In conclusion, while the idea of a flying Cybertruck sounds intriguing, it’s crucial to remember the hurdles ahead. Unless we see significant breakthroughs in technology and consumer readiness, the reality of flying cars remains a dream for now. If you’re curious about the future of technology and innovations, keep exploring related content at Moyens I/O.