A 17-state-and-territory coalition led by California, Washington, and Colorado has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, demanding the restoration of access to $5 billion in electric vehicle (EV) charger funding passed by Congress in 2021 but later suspended by the current administration.
The lawsuit highlights the inability of the coalition’s states—especially California and Washington—to utilize a portion of the $3.3 billion in EV charger grants already awarded to them over the past four fiscal years. Despite receiving funding, these states have failed to build the expected infrastructure for EV chargers due to the suspension of federal support.
The situation stems from a 2020 order by then-President Donald Trump that aimed to eliminate electric vehicle mandates. Following this directive, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) suspended approval of state EV charger network plans, which had been submitted for federal grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. This act allocated $5 billion in funding to support the development of a national electric vehicle infrastructure.
The FHWA’s notice on the matter indicated that while new guidance has not been issued, reimbursement for existing obligations would continue to prevent disruptions to current financial commitments. However, the suspension has left $1.7 billion in unallocated funds effectively frozen, preventing the states from utilizing the money for future projects aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) dashboard maintained by the National Association of State Energy Officials reveals that while $3.3 billion has already been awarded, much of the additional funding slated for future years remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo, with no immediate plans for release. The states argue that the ongoing suspension undermines efforts to promote clean energy and infrastructure development in alignment with federal goals.
The lawsuit aims to pressure the administration to unblock the remaining funding and enable states to proceed with their planned expansions of the EV charger network, a key component of the national push toward greener, more sustainable transportation.
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