Tesla Unveils Thruster-Equipped Roadster Planned for 2028

Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster that used SpaceX-developed compressed-air thrusters to lift off, maneuver in mid-air and land during a demonstration Thursday at SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas.

The demonstration included a launch from a curved ramp, an aerial flip and a barrel roll over a line of Tesla vehicles. It showed that the car could briefly leave the ground, but did not establish that it could fly over long distances like an aircraft.

Tesla said the Roadster is scheduled to enter production in 2028 and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in one second. Elon Musk said the vehicle uses an ultra-high-pressure air tank supplying 10 nozzles and carrying about 250 kilograms of air. He said the system recharges itself without propellant.

Thruster-equipped versions are planned as limited-edition models and will not be street legal, according to The National. Standard versions will not have the aerial capability.

The demonstration also raised unresolved questions about regulation, licensing, liability and insurance. Rules for vehicles capable of operating both on roads and in the air vary by jurisdiction, and operators could potentially require both driving and aviation credentials. Politico reported that the Federal Aviation Administration said Musk’s flying car was not its responsibility, while the compressed-gas system could present additional safety and insurance complications.