Trump Halts EV Charging Station Funding
The Trump administration has put a hold on a federal program that was supposed to pump billions into new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a review of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This program was part of the previous administration’s push for clean energy.
The FHWA memo informed state transportation directors that the NEVI program would be reviewed. While existing contracts will be honored, no new projects can start immediately. This move freezes roughly $3 billion that states were expecting for future construction, according to data from Atlas Public Policy.
The FHWA stated the NEVI program would be updated to “align with current U.S. DOT policy and priorities.” A draft of the changes will be open for public feedback this spring.
Experts suggest this pause may face legal challenges, given the bipartisan support the program initially had. Nick Nigro, of Atlas Public Policy, believes the funding will eventually resume.
The NEVI program aimed to address a key concern for potential EV drivers: the sparse availability of charging stations. The original goal was to build a network of charging stations every 50 miles along highways to promote the shift away from gas and diesel vehicles.
While the program encountered some issues, like competition from utilities and poorly designed grants, it did encourage investment. Loren McDonald, from Paren, notes that 56 stations are currently operational as a result of the program, with over 900 sites awarded.
McDonald believes the FHWA’s action might be challenged in court. President Trump had previously promised to cut EV incentives, and his administration’s focus is on boosting domestic fossil fuel production, including declaring a “national energy emergency.”
Tesla, a company led by Elon Musk, who is also an advisor to Trump, has received approximately $31 million in NEVI awards.
