Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it unlawfully withheld more than $2 billion earmarked for electric‑vehicle charging programs.
Legal Basis of the Lawsuit
A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Seattle alleges that the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are “impounding” funds that Congress obligated under the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden. The states say the withheld money is needed to support two EV charging programs.
Statements from State Officials
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement saying, “The Trump administration’s illegal attempt to stop funding for electric vehicle infrastructure must come to an end. This is just another reckless attempt that will stall the fight against air pollution and climate change, slow innovation, thwart green job creation, and leave communities without access to clean, affordable transportation.”
Background on Funding and Policy Changes
In February, the Trump administration ordered states to halt spending on EV charging money that had been allocated in the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. A federal judge later directed the administration to release much of the funding for chargers in more than a dozen states. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued revised guidance to streamline funding applications, and at least four states—Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Wisconsin—have announced awards under the program.
Current Lawsuit Details
The Tuesday filing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington seeks release of $1.8 billion for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program and about $350 million for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program. The lawsuit is led by attorneys general from California and Colorado, joined by those from Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and the governor of Pennsylvania—all Democrats.
Context of Trump’s EV Policies
After taking office in January, President Trump ended what he called Biden’s “EV mandate.” While Biden had set stringent tailpipe emissions and fuel‑economy rules and offered up to $7,500 in tax incentives for EV purchases, the Trump administration has proposed rolling back those rules and eliminating fines for automakers that fail to meet them. Trump has also repeated incorrect statements about the status of federal charging programs, claiming that, for example, building nine chargers in parts of the Midwest cost $8 billion.
Market Impact
EV sales have slowed as buyers remain concerned about charging availability and vehicle prices. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new EV last month was $58,638, compared with $49,814 for a new vehicle overall. Automakers have responded by shifting strategy; Ford announced a pivot away from its previously ambitious electrification plan, and Honda said it would step back from its EV efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Sixteen states and DC sue over $2 billion in withheld EV charging funds.
- The lawsuit targets the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant and Charger Reliability programs.
- Trump’s administration has rolled back Biden‑era EV policies and halted funding for charging infrastructure.
The lawsuit highlights the ongoing conflict over federal support for electric‑vehicle infrastructure and the broader debate over climate policy in the United States.
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
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