Written by: Jackson Keyes / Co-sports editor
On Oct. 15, Tesla revealed the new Tesla roadster which uses jets for temporary flight. Tesla showed the car driving up a ramp extremely fast and then using its jets to flip itself over and land safely. The car used jets to stay suspended in the air for a few moments and was able to flip over objects. They also had the car use the jets to fly over a school bus and several other cars. Tesla claims that the car will begin production in 2028 and will cost $250,000.
While the idea of a semi-flying seems appealing, there are still a few questions that have to be answered about the roadster. First, the NHTSA has to test the car for safety issues and if it is safe for the public use.
Then, there is the problem of if Tesla has the materials and the resources to be able to mass-produce the car for public consumption. While the parts to make the main car shouldn’t be hard to make, it is unknown if they can mass produce the jet parts for the flying feature.
Secondly, the price itself is already extremely high for the average consumer. The average person can not spend $250,000 for a car, that money is enough to buy a moderately sized house. While cybertrucks can already cost up to $75,000-$99,000, the roadsters price itself is already a major increase from it.
Finally, what would be the advantages to the public person with a semi-flying car. In a normal person’s daily life, in what situation would they need to use jets to fly? The average car ride does not require you to fly over something in order to keep moving.
Even then what happens if the jets malfunction and lose control? It could cause even more dangerous accidents and pose further risks by strapping on high power jets to a car. Even if the car isn’t involved in a car crash, what happens if the jets leak and potentially combust? That could also pose a larger risk to drivers and other people on the road.
While it does sound cool to finally be able to have a flying car, it still is a bit ways away from fully coming out. Like self-driving cars, it will still take time to safely test these things and see if they are finally ready for the public to use
