The US state of New Hampshire, in the north-east of the country, has legalised ‘flying cars’. With different companies working on cars that can take to the air, as well as urban air mobility vehicles, the state’s new legislation allows ‘roadable aircraft’ on its road network.

The bill, HB1182, had bi-partisan support in the state’s legislature. It was spearheaded by members drawn from the Transportation Committees of both the State Senate and House.

Three developers of roadable aircraft, PAL-V, Samson Sky, and Terrafugia, met with legislators to inform the development of the bill, and advise on registration and inspection issues.

New Hampshire, part of the historic US region of New England, borders on the state of Massachusetts, a major centre for development of advanced connected and autonomous vehicle and aircraft types.

The bill does not allow roadable aircraft to use New Hampshire roads to take off or land. But it does allow licensed roadable aircraft to travel on the state’s roads to and from designated airfields. 

In a statement, Kevin Colburn, Vice President and General Manager of Terrafugia, said that HB1182 will make New Hampshire “the first state in the country to create a legal framework that will allow flying car purchasers to register their vehicle and legally drive on roads to and from airports in the state.”

Keith Ammon, New Hampshire Distributor for PAL-V said: “This move by New Hampshire is certainly a significant step forward for the roadable aircraft industry.  The regulatory framework established here will help both the public and government organisations around the world understand what the real practical application is for roadable aircraft.” 

Sam Bousfield, Founder and CEO of Samson Sky, said: “New Hampshire’s bold action sets an example others can follow throughout the United States and globally, establishing a regulatory environment that will now allow residents the seamless opportunity to depart from a local airport and actually arrive at the closest airport to their destination with a built-in, last mile solution.”