Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding Loss is Still Tesla’s Gain
This month, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, a key component of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, lost all new federal funding under an order from President Donald Trump. The program had promised $5 billion to states to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030.
Pennsylvania, for example, was slated to receive $171.5 million over five years, with approximately $59 million already either spent or designated. The intention was to develop a comprehensive network of charging stations across a state that boasts more roads than any other in the Northeast. This infrastructure would have been designed to attract visitors, travelers, and residents alike.
State Representative Mary Jo Daley, a proponent of EV infrastructure funding, expressed concern about the implications of the funding cut. While acknowledging Trump’s well-documented stance against clean energy, she also suggested that the cancellation might serve another, less obvious, agenda: removing competition for Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. Without the NEVI program, many companies across the country are blocked from receiving critical funding to establish themselves and create jobs. According to Daley, this favors Tesla, a situation Musk himself seemingly acknowledged in a tweet.
“Apologists can save their free-market arguments,” Daley writes. “Tesla, SpaceX, and the Trump Organization were all significantly grown with our tax dollars.” She cites state and federal rebate programs for EV sales, direct loans for product development, tax abatements to expand facilities, and lucrative government contracts as examples of public funds benefiting Musk’s companies.
The outcome also hurts consumers who stand to benefit from a wider, more accessible EV infrastructure network. Cutting support for other companies in the EV charging market solidifies Tesla’s position.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is already the most dominant in the nation, requiring other automakers and electric companies to either partner with Tesla or build their own networks. Daley notes that removing this funding is an issue.
Furthermore, Musk’s influence extends to control over key sectors, including EV infrastructure, space exploration, and communications. His position could enable him to align federal policies with his business interests. His companies already stand to gain billions of dollars through various contracts with organizations such as NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense.
“A free market fosters innovation and growth, but we’re quickly learning that when one entity can shape policy to its advantage, it disrupts the principles of competition and opportunity,” Daley concludes.
State Rep. Mary Jo Daley is chair of the Pennsylvania House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee and represents the 148th Legislative District in Montgomery County.
