President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation has recently made a significant decision regarding the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which funds the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the United States. In a letter addressed to state transportation departments, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the suspension of approval for state plans to deploy charging infrastructure under the $5 billion NEVI program.
States are required to submit plans to the FHWA outlining how they intend to utilize the NEVI funds ahead of each fiscal year. The FHWA had previously approved the first four years of state plans for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. However, the recent decision by the Department of Transportation to review the policies underlying the NEVI program has led to the suspension of approval for all state plans, effectively halting any new obligations under the program.
This move by the Trump administration is part of a broader effort to roll back climate-focused policies and programs supporting the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. The decision has raised concerns and created uncertainty for state transportation departments and private companies investing in electric vehicle infrastructure projects.
The FHWA’s decision has sparked legal questions, with experts suggesting that there is no legal basis for decertifying funds that have already been apportioned to states for infrastructure projects. While states are prohibited from obligating new funds for new projects, existing financial commitments will not be affected.
The uncertainty surrounding the NEVI program has prompted calls for state transportation departments and program administrators to continue executing projects until new guidance is finalized. The fate of the NEVI program may ultimately be decided in the courts, as the funding was appropriated by Congress through the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
As the situation continues to develop, stakeholders in the energy sector, including charging firms, are closely monitoring the outcome of the review of the NEVI program. The FHWA’s decision underscores the challenges and complexities of implementing federal programs aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and expanding charging infrastructure nationwide.