California Sues Trump Administration Over Withheld EV Charging Funds

In a bold move against the Trump administration, California, alongside 15 other states and the District of Columbia, has launched a fresh legal challenge concerning the withholding of billions in funds designated for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This action, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, targets the Federal Highway Administration's actions that, according to Bonta, are undermining a $5 billion program aimed at expanding EV charging stations nationwide.

During a recent press briefing, Bonta declared that the Federal Highway Administration's decision to hold back funds could have dire economic consequences for California, potentially costing the state over $300 million and thousands of jobs. "The Federal Highway Administration’s unlawful action could cost California, specifically, more than $300 million, eliminate thousands of good-paying jobs and damage a critical emerging industry,” Bonta stated.

Highlighting a pattern of legal disputes, Bonta emphasized that this marks California's 19th lawsuit against Trump-related policies in just 15 weeks. He has accused Trump of repeatedly exceeding the limits of presidential authority, committing unlawful acts at a rate of more than once a week. “We have promised to meet him in court each and every time he breaks the law and hurts California, and so today we are meeting him in court once again,” Bonta affirmed.

Despite the White House's campaign promises of job creation, questions posed by Inside Climate News to the administration about the adverse impacts on California's economy were redirected to the Department of Transportation, which provided no response.

The funds in question were established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marking the federal government's inaugural investment in EV-charging infrastructure and addressing the climate crisis. Attorneys general contend that the administration's actions infringe on the Separation of Powers Doctrine, as the Constitution designates Congress with control over federal spending.

According to the lawsuit, the Federal Highway Administration is executing an executive order from Trump's first day in office to eliminate an assumed "electric vehicle (EV) mandate," which the complaint argues is non-existent. This order, based on a fictitious mandate, has led to withholding funds meant for states to develop EV-charging infrastructure, contrary to congressional intent.

Bonta expounded that the absence of these funds would impede California's efforts to build necessary EV charging infrastructure, critical for reducing emissions and advancing a sustainable economy. “These actions are coming at a time when we’re facing, of course, a climate crisis that’s getting worse by the day,” Bonta remarked, underlining the urgency of addressing climate change challenges.

California's ambitious climate goals require significantly expanding EV infrastructure, with demand projected to necessitate hundreds of thousands of additional charging ports by 2030. The Federal Highway Administration's stance threatens to hinder infrastructure projects and local businesses poised to support this transition, Bonta noted. “We can’t, and we won’t let that happen.”

David Hoschschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission, pointed out that California, responsible for 30% of the nation’s new zero-emission vehicle sales, already hosts more EV charge points than traditional gasoline nozzles. The shift to electric vehicles is pivotal not only for climate mitigation but also for public health, he said.

Bonta, determined to continue his predecessor Xavier Becerra's aggressive legal strategy against the administration's policies, warned of ongoing legal confrontations. “We do not expect the president’s barrage of unlawful, chaotic and disruptive executive orders and actions to slow down, which means neither will our work ahead,” Bonta asserted.

“We’ve got to be dogged in every avenue to address the climate crisis in California,” he concluded. “That is part of our DNA. It’s part of our legacy.”