The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure has sparked a legal battle with 16 states, including California, New York, Colorado, and Washington, filing a lawsuit against the federal government. The move to halt funds for EV chargers, which were allocated through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, has been met with strong criticism from state attorneys general and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In a statement, Governor Newsom condemned Trump’s actions as a gift to China, a country that has made significant strides in electric vehicle adoption and technology. He emphasized the importance of supporting American innovation and job creation in the electric vehicle industry. The lawsuit argues that the Department of Transportation lacks the authority to withhold funds approved by Congress for the NEVI program, which was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states build DC fast-charging stations along major highways.
The freeze on NEVI funding by the Federal Highway Administration in February raised concerns among policy experts and climate advocates, who questioned the legitimacy of the administration’s decision. While the Trump administration claimed that the move was necessary to rescind funds for what they deemed as “failed electric vehicle charger grant programs,” critics argue that the action was unjustified and lacked proper congressional approval.
The lawsuit also highlights the broader efforts by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers to roll back policies supporting electric vehicles, including potential elimination of the EV tax credit and cuts to programs like the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Despite the slow rollout of charging stations, funding from the NEVI program has helped open 75 stations with 395 charging plugs in 16 states, with many more in development.
As the legal battle unfolds, stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry are closely watching the outcome of the lawsuit and hoping for a resolution that supports continued investment in EV infrastructure. The controversy surrounding NEVI funding underscores the challenges and political tensions surrounding efforts to promote electric vehicles and reduce emissions in the transportation sector.