Florida received nearly $200 million in federal funding to expand electric vehicle charging stations across the state. Instead of using that money to build more chargers, state transportation officials want to invest it in something that sounds like science fiction: flying cars.

The proposal would shift $197 million from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program toward building charging stations and landing pads for electric air taxis, according to documents obtained by the Miami Herald.

The move would make Florida one of the first states to use federal EV infrastructure dollars to support advanced air mobility instead of passenger vehicles, according to the Miami Herald.

The decision has quickly become part of a larger debate over whether public funding should solve today's transportation needs or help prepare for technologies that could reshape travel years from now.

A Different Vision for EV Funding

The NEVI program was created to make long-distance electric vehicle travel easier by filling gaps in charging infrastructure and reducing "range anxiety" for drivers. States across the country have used the funding to install fast chargers along interstate highways, at truck stops and near shopping centers.

Florida took a different approach.

In its updated Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said private companies have already expanded charging infrastructure enough to serve everyday passenger vehicles. Rather than continue investing in traditional charging stations, the agency says future federal funding should support emerging transportation technologies that could benefit the state over the long term. 

According to the state's proposal, Florida wants to create an "Aerial Highway Network" made up of charging stations, takeoff areas and landing sites for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, commonly known as eVTOLs or flying taxis. The network would help prepare Florida for commercial air taxi operations while encouraging private investment in the industry, according to FDOT. 

What Would the Money Pay For?

State documents estimate each site would cost about $5.6 million, with plans to help fund 32 locations across Florida, according to the Miami Herald. Proposed locations include airports, luxury residential developments, golf courses and military installations, according to the Miami Herald.

Unlike traditional NEVI projects, where private businesses typically provide part of the required funding, Florida's proposal also suggests the state could contribute matching funds for some projects, according to the Miami Herald.

FDOT says it has been planning for advanced air mobility since 2021. The state has already built what it describes as the nation's first advanced air mobility testing site at SunTrax, a 475-acre transportation research facility in Central Florida. Companies including Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation, BETA Technologies and Electra have been selected to participate in federal pilot programs with the state. 

In June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Federal Aviation Administration to expand testing for advanced air mobility through pilot programs. FDOT was selected as one of eight state transportation agencies participating in that effort, according to FDOT. 

Critics Say Drivers Still Need Chargers

Not everyone agrees Florida has finished building its EV charging network.

Stephen Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy told the Miami Herald the proposal redirects money away from infrastructure that would benefit millions of drivers and toward technology that remains in development.

Others argue the original purpose of the federal funding was to help businesses install charging stations that serve everyday travelers.

Ryan McKinnon of the Charge Ahead Partnership told the Miami Herald the money should continue supporting charging infrastructure that benefits the broader public instead of future air taxi passengers.

Is Florida's EV Charging Network Complete?

The answer depends on who you ask.

FDOT says public charging infrastructure has grown rapidly over the past several years. The agency reported that Florida had 452 fast chargers and 1,708 Level 2 public charging stations as of January 2025 and concluded that its interstate charging corridors are sufficiently built out. The Federal Highway Administration agreed Florida had completed its designated highway charging network, allowing the state to pursue other eligible infrastructure projects. 

Industry experts acknowledge that significant progress has been made.

Bill Ferro, chief technology officer at EV charging data company Paren, told the Miami Herald the private market has expanded charging infrastructure considerably in recent years, helped in part by Tesla making its charging technology available to other operators, according to the Miami Herald.

Still, advocates say important gaps remain. While interstate travel has become easier, many apartment and condominium residents still lack convenient places to charge their vehicles, according to the Miami Herald. Other states, including North Carolina, are using their remaining NEVI funding to install chargers at multifamily housing instead of shifting the money toward other transportation technologies, according to the Miami Herald.

A Choice Between Today's Needs and Tomorrow's Technology

Florida's proposal reflects a broader question facing transportation agencies across the country: should infrastructure funding focus on improving systems people use today, or invest early in technologies that could change how people travel in the future?

Whether flying taxis become a common sight over Florida's cities remains uncertain. But if federal officials approve the proposal, the state could become the first to transform EV charging dollars into the foundation of an aerial transportation network.

Source: Miami Herald, FDOT