Florida plans to redirect nearly $200 million in federal electric vehicle infrastructure funds to build a statewide network of landing pads for electric air taxis, the state’s transportation department announced.
The funds come from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, known as NEVI, established under a bipartisan federal infrastructure law. Florida authorities said they had not spent the money on EV charging because private companies had already built what officials described as a sufficient network of charging stations throughout the state.
The Florida Department of Transportation intends to use the NEVI allocation to construct 32 landing pads equipped with charging stations for eVTOL aircraft, which take off and land vertically. The agency plans to site the pads near golf clubs, luxury residential developments, and airports.
The pivot was made possible by rule changes introduced by the Trump administration. Updated requirements allow states that have fully completed their EV charging corridor infrastructure to direct NEVI money toward EV charging facilities on public roads or other publicly accessible sites.
The eVTOL industry remains at an early stage. Several startups are developing electric aircraft for commercial service, but some companies have begun shifting their attention toward defense applications.
Florida officials expect the small aircraft, designed to carry around four to five passengers, to help ease pressure on the state’s congested roads. According to the Miami Herald, the planned network will concentrate on short urban routes between key locations.
