Sixteen states sue Trump administration over halted EV charger funds

Sixteen states and Washington D.C. have filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump, alleging illegal withholding of funds intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. | Photo Credit: Shutterstock

A group of states, including Washington D.C., has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully blocking billions of dollars designated for the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The federal lawsuit was unveiled on May 7.

The core of the lawsuit challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) decision to pause fund allocations from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, highlighting that only Congress, which sanctioned the funds under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has the legal authority to halt them.

"President Trump has unleashed an attack on an increasingly popular consumer choice—the electric vehicle," California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated in the legal filing.

The lawsuit is spearheaded by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, and Washington, with involvement from states like Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, and several others, emphasizing the collective concern over the funding suspension.

Critics of the suspension have pointed to disruptions in infrastructure projects and financial difficulties for contractors and state bodies as significant consequences of the funding freeze.

"Clean energy is not just smart for the environment; it creates new jobs for Marylanders and strengthens our economy," stated Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Convenience stores and similar businesses have also faced challenges, as grant funding is crucial for the substantial investments required to install EV chargers. Tom Healy, vice president of facilities development and maintenance at Nouria, explained to CSP in March, “There's not really a business model there to make a large investment without grant funding because it's a large capital investment, and the business volume is just not there right now.”

Upon taking office, President Trump halted several federal funding programs, including those for EV infrastructure, and overturned the electric vehicle mandate. This led to the Department of Transportation (DOT) freezing the NEVI Program.

A letter from DOT dated Feb. 6 indicates that the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance is being rescinded to better align with the latest U.S. DOT policy. A revised draft is anticipated in the spring.

This policy change results in an immediate suspension of approvals for state EV infrastructure plans, delaying any new obligations under the NEVI Program until updated guidance is issued and new plans are approved, as per the letter's details.

The EV mandate and related funding initiatives were originally established by former President Biden in 2021, aiming for significant adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030. The initiatives included grants for expanding the EV charging network and promoting domestic manufacturing of EV infrastructure.

These programs, including the NEVI initiative, signed into law as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), were set to distribute $5 billion to support EV infrastructure nationwide from 2022 to 2026. However, with just two years left in the five-year plan, state approvals are varied and incomplete.

Despite the efforts to push for EVs, former President Trump's actions to pause these federal funding programs have introduced significant hurdles for states pursuing EV infrastructure advancements.

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