Trump admin stops illegal freeze of $5B EV charger funds after losing in court

The Biden administration has released new guidelines permitting states to access $5 billion allocated for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, following a significant delay during which the funds were withheld. This decision comes after a coalition of states challenged the funding freeze associated with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a controversial move by the previous administration aimed at blocking congressional appropriations at the outset of Donald Trump’s second term. In June, a judge ruled in favor of the states, indicating they had a strong case against the funding hold and issued an injunction to lift the freeze. Criticism was directed at the states by the Department of Transportation (DOT), headed by Sean Duffy, for not expediting the spending of these funds. Reports indicated that by May, approximately 84% of the $5 billion, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, remained unallocated, resulting in the construction of only a handful of charging stations. In a recent press release, the DOT clarified that the funding was paused to conduct a review aimed at ensuring the NEVI program aligned with current administration priorities. The updated guidance aims to streamline the review process for the construction of charging stations. Notably, states are now exempt from considering consumer protections, emergency evacuation strategies, and environmental assessments before beginning construction. Additionally, the new guidelines have eliminated requirements stipulating that a specific percentage of charging stations be established in rural or underserved areas. The revisions also removed mandates for proposals to show commitment to strong labor practices, safety training, and installation standards. Furthermore, the previous stipulations encouraging opportunities for minority- and women-owned small businesses were also rescinded, marking a significant shift in the approach to funding allocation for electric vehicle infrastructure.