Trump challenged in court over halting billions in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Transportation is facing a legal challenge over its decision to freeze funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, aims to unfreeze the funds and ensure their distribution to states according to a formula established by Congress.
The NEVI program, which received $5 billion as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, aims to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. This program is significant as transportation is the leading source of climate pollution in the U.S.
The lawsuit, which includes 16 states, the District of Columbia, and more than a half dozen environmental groups, argues that the funding freeze is unlawful. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on Thursday stating that the department is unauthorized to withhold the congressionally appropriated funds.
According to the GAO report, the Transportation Department erroneously froze funding because it determined that funding was available only for signed project agreements, while the effective date for funding was much earlier. The report also states that the department cannot act unilaterally to rescind or change the NEVI program.
The Trump administration justified the funding freeze as an update to the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with current policy and priorities. However, the department spokesperson stated that the GAO report shows a complete misunderstanding of the law and conflicts with Congress' intent.
The funding freeze, which was implemented in 2020, has prevented states from distributing funds for fiscal years 2022-2025, worth about $2.7 billion. This has hindered efforts to provide more charging access in rural and urban areas, leading to cleaner air, economic growth, and savings for families.
The lawsuit aims to ensure clean, reliable transportation options, particularly in areas where electric vehicle infrastructure is still developing, such as the Southeast. If successful, the unfreezing of funds could help accelerate the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, contributing to the fight against climate change and promoting economic growth.
The Trump administration has not yet commented on the lawsuit or indicated whether it will unfreeze the funds. The exact names of the 16 U.S. states participating in the lawsuit are not specified in the provided search results.
