For decades, people have asked the same half-joking, half-serious question: “Where are the flying cars we were promised?”
The Jetsons, after all — with George, his boy, Elroy, daughter Judy, and Jane, his wife — debuted their concept of flying cars in 1962. 1962!
And while some of the technology featured in that cartoon has become a reality, such as video chats and robots that do basic chores (vacuuming, mowing), the flying car has remained rather elusive.
That is about to come to an end.
On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) gave the closest thing to an answer yet to that aforementioned question, announcing that Florida will begin actively testing electric “flying cars” — known as eVTOLs — by the end of the year.
“I can’t promise we’ll ever be able to take you to the future, to the past,” DeSantis told reporters, a nod to the "Back to the Future" movie franchise. “But I think we’re going to be able to get you up in the air at some point in the not too distant future.”
WATCH: Gov. Ron DeSantis highlights Florida’s testing of autonomous vehicles from companies including Tesla and Waymo at SunTrax.@GovRonDeSantis: “We’re the only high-speed autonomous vehicle test track in the United States.” pic.twitter.com/p1EEcfzcXY
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) August 10, 2026
The eVTOL stands for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing.
Standing at a SunTrax testing facility, DeSantis framed the moment as turning a long-running sci-fi dream into an actual state project, complete with vertiports already built and aircraft preparing to lift off without runways.
He announced on social media that the Sunshine State would begin “actively testing” the aircraft by the end of the year.
At the same SunTrax facility, DeSantis also highlighted ongoing testing of autonomous ground vehicles, showing off a Waymo Jaguar and Tesla Cybercab. He pointed out that some of these vehicles are being developed without steering wheels or pedals.
“We’re the only high-speed autonomous vehicle test track in the United States,” he bragged.
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue explained the significance of what the state is pursuing in regards to the flying vehicles.
“When is the last time we, as civilization, got to usher in a new way to move people?” he asked. “We’ve improved the automobile with autonomy, and now we’re entering the age of flying cars.”
NOW: Florida transportation officials say the state is preparing to enter a “new era” as flying cars are expected to begin testing in Florida’s airspace by the end of the year.@FDOT_Secretary: “What you saw in the Jetsons is becoming a reality.” pic.twitter.com/GL7UEdUayQ
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) August 10, 2026
These flying cars are compact electric aircraft that take off and land vertically like helicopters without needing a runway, then transition to forward flight.
They are designed as quiet air taxis capable of carrying a few passengers over short-to-medium distances, offering a potential alternative to ground traffic in congested areas.
And they are absolutely wild.
Could these electric air taxis eventually ease congestion on I-4? Or is this simply an impressive proof of concept?
Either way, Florida is clearly moving faster than most states to turn a sci-fi promise from George Jetson into something tangible.
Personally, I'd like to see those little dress-o-matic things that get you fully dressed and ready for work in the morning, or throw back on your pajamas when it's time to retire, before anything else.
But flying cars are pretty cool too.
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