Court Orders Trump Admin to Release EV Charger Funds

A federal court rules the Trump administration must release congressionally approved funds for the national EV charging network, calling its delay unlawful.

A federal court has ordered the Trump administration to immediately release congressionally approved EV charger funds for the national charging network. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin ruled the administration unlawfully froze the money, stating the government improperly halted the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The ruling mandates the distribution of billions in federal funds to states for building public fast-charging stations along highway corridors. Judge Lin's order nullifies the administration's attempt to withhold the money through procedural delays and requires the Department of Transportation to process outstanding state plans and release the allocated funding without further obstruction.

“The government ‘yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet,’” wrote Judge Lin in her opinion. “It is simply not how things are lawfully done.” A spokesperson for the plaintiffs, a coalition of environmental groups and state attorneys general, stated, “This is a victory for the rule of law and for every American who wants cleaner air and access to modern transportation.”

The decision directly impacts the pace of the national transition to electric vehicles, as a reliable public charging network is considered essential for widespread adoption. The ruling reinforces that executive agencies cannot unilaterally ignore or delay congressionally mandated spending, setting a significant precedent for the implementation of other infrastructure and climate programs.

The court has given the administration 30 days to comply with the order and provide a plan for releasing the stalled funds. Legal experts expect the ruling to accelerate state-level construction of charging stations, though the administration could pursue an appeal, potentially causing further delays in the program's rollout.