Florida Plans to Redirect $198 Million in EV Charging Funds to Electric Air Taxi Network

Florida received $198 million from the Biden administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to build public fast chargers across the state. Now the state wants to spend that money on infrastructure for electric air taxis instead, according to a new investigation by the Miami Herald. The controversial proposal redirects funds originally earmarked for ground-based electric vehicle charging to support what the Florida Department of Transportation calls an Aerial Highway Network.

These aircraft, known as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or eVTOLs, look like drones but take off and land like helicopters. The agency argues the network would complement the state’s existing transportation system and could help ease congestion and improve connectivity. However, eVTOLs remain in an early stage of development and have not been commercially deployed as air taxis anywhere in the United States.

The Department of Transportation approved eight pilot programs across 26 states in March, signaling federal interest in the emerging technology. Joby Aviation, one of the frontrunners in the space and backed by Delta Air Lines, flew demonstration flights between Manhattan and JFK Airport in April and aims to get travelers to the airport in 10 minutes instead of an hour-plus by car.

Ambitious Infrastructure Plan for Vertical Flight

Florida’s plan calls for charging infrastructure that could recharge eVTOLs at 32 vertiports, where the vehicles take off from and land, according to documents obtained by the Herald. Each site would cost roughly $5.6 million, and they would go up in locations including luxury apartment buildings, golf courses, military bases, and airports. Typically, eVTOL taxis carry up to four people plus a pilot, though some operate autonomously.

“The Florida Department of Transportation will not waste taxpayer dollars and spend it on everyday passenger vehicles,” a document laying out FDOT’s NEVI funding plans that was published by the Herald reads. “Instead, FDOT’s proposal for implementing the NEVI Program takes an innovative and strategic approach to offer the greatest benefits to Floridians by supporting a new emerging mode of transportation that provides passenger service and fulfills the transportation needs in our state.”

The state justifies skipping EV chargers by pointing out that private companies have already built out much of America’s public fast-charging network. The bulk of the country’s chargers have come from the likes of Tesla, Electrify America, and ChargePoint among others, while newer entrants like Ionna and Walmart are further accelerating that growth. The state noted in the document that the number of EV charging ports in Florida has doubled in the last four years, and that it has 452 fast-charging stations.

Global Momentum Behind Electric Air Mobility

AutoFlight, a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility, recently put Kazakhstan on the map for urban air travel with a series of live eVTOL demonstration flights at the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana. Working alongside strategic partner Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd., the company showcased electric vertical takeoff and landing technology through live demonstration flights and themed activities as part of the international sporting event.

AutoFlight completed its Air Taxi Demonstration Flight on July 24, with the ton-class eVTOL aircraft remaining on display throughout the Games as part of the official public exhibition. The backdrop for the showcase proved significant, as Games of the Future 2026 is one of the world’s leading international “phygital” tournaments, drawing more than 800 competitors from over 50 countries across eight disciplines that blend physical sport with digital gaming.

The Astana flights build on earlier momentum, following AutoFlight’s first eVTOL flight in Alatau City in May 2026 and reflecting the company’s ongoing push to help develop Advanced Air Mobility across Kazakhstan. Through its partnership with AAAG, AutoFlight works to speed up commercial deployment by backing aviation innovation, smart infrastructure, and regional connectivity.

Regulatory Push and Timeline for Deployment

AAAG’s chief executive, Sergey Khegay, said the Astana demonstrations are part of a systematic effort to bring urban air mobility to Kazakhstan, noting that the country has already adopted the necessary legislation, is developing infrastructure, and continues expanding international partnerships with global companies. AutoFlight’s Senior Vice President, Kellen Xie, described a vision for large-scale eVTOL technology transforming the region across multiple fronts, calling the applications not just technological possibilities but a new model of sustainable, zero-emission transportation for Central Asia.

In the United States, air taxis could become a reality as soon as this year in some locations, while Los Angeles is on track to have an air taxi program in time for the 2028 Olympics. Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau told Reuters last week that the agency wants to get the air taxi industry off the ground as quickly as possible. Air taxis already operate in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China.

Cost Projections and Economic Viability

Price estimates compare the initial cost of an eVTOL trip to that of an Uber Black ride, as much as $150 for a ride to JFK. However, the trip could cost as little as $25 if the business scales by 2030. The projected price reduction depends on widespread adoption and operational efficiency gains as the technology matures and production volumes increase.

AutoFlight says it remains committed to working with governments, regulators, and strategic partners around the world to speed the commercialization of eVTOL technology and open up new opportunities in sustainable air transport. The Astana showcase adds Kazakhstan to a growing list of markets where eVTOL developers stage public demonstrations to build regulatory and public confidence ahead of commercial launches.

Florida’s proposal to redirect federal EV charging funds highlights a tension between supporting established electric vehicle infrastructure and betting on emerging transportation technologies that lack commercial deployment or full regulatory approval. The decision could set a precedent for how states allocate federal infrastructure dollars in an era of rapid technological change, though critics may question whether unproven air taxi networks should take priority over expanding access to electric vehicle charging for ground transportation.