States Sue Trump Administration Over Blocked Electric Vehicle Charging Funds
Seventeen states have filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration for withholding billions of dollars allocated for building electric vehicle chargers across the United States. The lawsuit, led by attorneys general from California, Colorado, and Washington, challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s authority to halt the funding approved by Congress in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The program was set to allocate $5 billion over five years, with an estimated $3.3 billion already made available to various states. The Trump administration directed states in February to stop spending these funds, which were intended to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure along highway corridors and address gaps in rural areas and multifamily dwellings.
“These funds were going to be used to shape the future of transportation,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, characterizing Trump’s decision as “short-sighted.” “We won’t sit back while the Trump administration violates the law,” Bonta added.
The lawsuit highlights the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration’s environmental policies and the previous administration’s efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption. EVs accounted for about 8% of new car sales in the U.S. last year, indicating a growing market that has been slowed by infrastructure concerns.
Some states had already received reimbursements for projects under the program, while others were still in the process of contracting for their sites when the Trump administration ordered a halt to spending. New York, for instance, had been awarded over $175 million, with $120 million currently being withheld.
The issue is critical as consumers often cite charging infrastructure as a major concern when considering electric vehicle purchases. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California argued that withholding the funds was not only illegal but would also result in thousands of U.S. jobs being lost to China.
The Trump administration’s actions are part of a broader rollback of environmental policies implemented during the Biden administration. This includes withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, reversing electric vehicle targets, and supporting the fossil fuel industry.
Despite these challenges, experts expect the nation’s EV charging infrastructure to continue growing as automakers pursue electrification goals. The lawsuit filed by the seventeen states represents a significant pushback against the Trump administration’s environmental policies and their impact on the electric vehicle sector.
