Florida proposes repurposing $198M in EV funds for air taxi network

The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing to repurpose approximately $198 million in federal funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to develop an ‘Aerial Highway Network’. Instead of expanding public fast-charging stations for electric vehicles on highways, the state intends to fund the installation of charging equipment at 32 ‘vertiports’ designed for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Each vertiport is estimated to cost roughly $5.6 million. Proposed locations for these hubs include airports, military bases, golf courses, and luxury apartment buildings. While companies like Joby Aviation have conducted test flights, no eVTOL service has yet launched commercially in the United States.

Critics argue that redirecting these funds may leave traditional electric vehicle drivers with fewer dependable charging options, particularly in rural or less profitable areas. There are also concerns regarding equity, as the proposed infrastructure sites suggest the technology may initially serve an affluent demographic rather than the general public.