Urge the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to pump the brakes on the diversion of nearly $200 million in federal electric vehicle charging funds toward infrastructure for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)
The Issue: As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, Florida received nearly $200 million to build EV charging infrastructure throughout the state to support the program’s goal to build out a nationwide EV charging network. Today, however, the Florida Department of Transportation has yet to use its funding to support Florida’s EV drivers, instead proposing to redirect $197 million of its NEVI funding to support an “Aerial Highway Network for eVTOL,“ commonly known as flying air taxis. The proposal seeks to use these funds to develop 32 sites that would include charging and landing infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft. FDOT argues that the private market has already built sufficient charging infrastructure for everyday road vehicles and that additional public investment would be unnecessary. However, significant gaps along Florida’s highways and communities leave many communities without adequate charging infrastructure.
Where the Money Goes: Instead of prioritizing EV charging along FL highways and other publicly accessible locations, FDOT proposes investing in sites that could support eVTOL operations, including airports, residential developments, golf courses, and military bases. While eVTOL represents an emerging transportation opportunity, widespread public use is still developing. Meanwhile, Florida already has a growing number of EV drivers who rely on accessible and reliable charging today.
- Extra costs: This change could force Florida taxpayers to pay a 20% state match, costing millions of extra dollars.
- Lost purpose: Tax money intended for everyday electric cars will instead go to. support technology still in development.
- High costs: Early adoption of eVTOL travel will carry a high premium cost, targeting high-net-worth individuals who frequent these areas.
The U.S. military and other departments already actively fund eVTOL development (e.g., the Air Force’s AFWERX program) for logistics, medical evacuation, and stealth cargo.
What You Can Do: Contact the Florida Department of Transportation. Tell FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue to keep electric-vehicle funding on the ground for public car chargers.