A coalition of states has initiated legal action against the Trump administration for cutting funds essential for electric vehicle charging stations, jeopardizing progress towards sustainable transportation.
States Challenge Trump's Funding Freeze for Electric Vehicle Chargers
States Challenge Trump's Funding Freeze for Electric Vehicle Chargers
Lawsuit highlights the impact of federal funding halt on electric vehicle infrastructure and the environment.
The article text:
In a significant move advocating for sustainable transportation, a coalition of states led by Washington, Colorado, and California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming unlawful withholding of billions intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide. The bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021 allocated $5 billion for states to expand EV charging infrastructure, of which only 71 stations have been constructed so far, according to data from Atlas Public Policy.
The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, asserts that the federal government has unlawfully frozen these critical funds and stalled approvals essential for further development. The impact of this funding freeze is particularly significant in states like California, which has been a leader in EV adoption, selling nearly two million zero-emission vehicles, accounting for one-third of the nation's total. California had anticipated receiving $384 million from the federal program to support its charging infrastructure.
The recent White House budget proposal indicated that funding for so-called “failed electric-vehicle-charger grant programs” would be rescinded. This follows actions taken by President Trump, including an executive order aimed at cutting funding for the EV programs. The lawsuit argues that completely canceling these funds requires Congressional approval, which the administration has attempted to circumvent.
Rob Bonta, California's Attorney General, expressed the coalition's concern, stating, “The president continues his unconstitutional attempts to withhold funding that Congress appropriated to programs he dislikes. This time he’s illegally stripping away billions of dollars for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, all to line the pockets of his Big Oil friends.” The outcome of this legal battle could have profound implications on the electric vehicle landscape and state efforts to curtail air pollution and boost sustainable transit.
In a significant move advocating for sustainable transportation, a coalition of states led by Washington, Colorado, and California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming unlawful withholding of billions intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide. The bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021 allocated $5 billion for states to expand EV charging infrastructure, of which only 71 stations have been constructed so far, according to data from Atlas Public Policy.
The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, asserts that the federal government has unlawfully frozen these critical funds and stalled approvals essential for further development. The impact of this funding freeze is particularly significant in states like California, which has been a leader in EV adoption, selling nearly two million zero-emission vehicles, accounting for one-third of the nation's total. California had anticipated receiving $384 million from the federal program to support its charging infrastructure.
The recent White House budget proposal indicated that funding for so-called “failed electric-vehicle-charger grant programs” would be rescinded. This follows actions taken by President Trump, including an executive order aimed at cutting funding for the EV programs. The lawsuit argues that completely canceling these funds requires Congressional approval, which the administration has attempted to circumvent.
Rob Bonta, California's Attorney General, expressed the coalition's concern, stating, “The president continues his unconstitutional attempts to withhold funding that Congress appropriated to programs he dislikes. This time he’s illegally stripping away billions of dollars for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, all to line the pockets of his Big Oil friends.” The outcome of this legal battle could have profound implications on the electric vehicle landscape and state efforts to curtail air pollution and boost sustainable transit.
