Article Summary
Seventeen states are suing President Donald Trump’s administration for withholding $5 billion over five years for electric vehicle charger infrastructure, previously allocated under President Joe Biden. The Federal Highway Administration’s authority to halt the funding is being challenged by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and attorneys general from Colorado and Washington. The program aimed to allocate $3.3 billion to states for the buildout of electric vehicle chargers, aiding in the expansion of EVs and addressing concerns over charging infrastructure availability.
Original Post
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Seventeen states are suing President Donald Trump ‘s administration for withholding billions of dollars in funding for the buildout of electric vehicle chargers, according to a federal lawsuit announced Wednesday.
The lawsuit challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s authority to halt the funding, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office. He led the suit alongside attorneys general from Colorado and Washington. They argue Congress, which approved the money in 2021 as part of the “The President continues to roll back environmental and climate change protections, this time illegally stripping away billions of dollars for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, all to line the pockets of his Big Oil friends,” Bonta, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Some states with projects running under the program have already been reimbursed by the federal government. Others are still contracting for their sites. Still others had halted their plans by the time the Trump administration ordered states to stop their spending. Regardless, getting these chargers installed and operating It was expected that states would fight against the federal government’s efforts to slow the nation’s electric vehicle charger buildout. New York, for example, part of the suit, has been awarded over $175 million in federal funds from the program, and state officials say $120 million is currently being withheld by the Trump administration.
What This Means for You
- Prices of EVs may remain high due to limited infrastructure and reduced competition resulting from the withholding of federal funds for electric vehicle chargers.
- Consumers can urge their representatives to address infrastructure hurdles in upcoming EV policies and budgets, ensuring funding for aiding the expansion of EV chargers.
- By staying informed and prepared for progressive changes to electrification and charging infrastructure, consumers can contribute to the growth and normalization of electric vehicles.
- Expect a slower transition to electric vehicles in light of regulatory hurdles and pushback from federal administrations.
Key Terms
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
- Federal Funding
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
- EV Adoption
- Environmental Protection
- Clean Energy
- State Lawsuits and Challenges
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