AUBURNDALE, FLORIDA (VIN) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that electric air taxis, often called flying cars, could begin commercial operations in the state as early as 2027, following the start of active testing later this year.

Speaking at the SunTrax transportation testing facility in Polk County, DeSantis stood beside an AIR ONE electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and outlined the state’s push into advanced air mobility.

“We are turning this somewhat dream into a reality,” DeSantis said. He envisioned passengers eventually flying from Tampa International Airport to Disney World, completely bypassing congested Interstate 4.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue said testing of eVTOL aircraft will begin by the end of 2026 at the 775-acre SunTrax site, which features the nation’s first dedicated advanced air mobility aerial test track and two vertiports. The facility, originally focused on autonomous ground vehicles, has expanded to support air technology research under real-world conditions in a controlled environment.

eVTOL aircraft take off and land vertically without traditional runways, run on electric power (or hybrid systems in some models), and are designed to be significantly quieter than helicopters. Officials say potential uses include passenger air taxi service, medical transport, cargo delivery, emergency response and law enforcement.

An Israeli company developing the AIR ONE eVTOL plans to establish manufacturing and operations in Polk County, becoming the first advanced air mobility firm to produce and operate such aircraft in Florida.

DeSantis and state officials emphasized that Florida is positioning itself as a national leader in the technology, partnering with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Polk State College on workforce training for pilots, technicians and engineers. Federal Aviation Administration certification remains a key step before commercial service can begin.

Commercial air taxi options could launch in select Florida markets in the coming years once testing and regulatory approvals are complete, according to DeSantis.