Florida redirects $200M EV-charging grant to build electric air-taxi landing pads

Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, Florida was awarded almost $200 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand electric-vehicle charging. The Florida Department of Transportation announced it will not spend the grant on chargers, claiming private developers have already built sufficient infrastructure. Instead, the agency will allocate the funds to create 32 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air-taxi pads with charging stations, targeting locations such as golf courses, upscale apartment complexes and airports.

Although the eVTOL market is still nascent and many startups are pivoting toward defense work, state officials believe the small four- to five-passenger aircraft could help alleviate the state’s notorious traffic jams. Updated NEVI guidance from the Trump administration allows states that have “fully built out” EV corridors to redirect money to charging infrastructure in other public spaces. Florida’s plan differs from states like New York and North Carolina, which are using the money to add chargers for renters and homeowners without dedicated parking.