The Trump administration has made another significant move against federal EV initiatives, this time by pausing new projects under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has revoked previous guidance, suspending state deployment plans and freezing billions in federal funding for charging infrastructure. This unexpected decision has thrown the future of EV charging expansion into uncertainty, impacting states and private companies that were relying on the program to build out America’s public charging network.
At Automotive Addicts, we’ve closely followed the progress of EV infrastructure development, particularly as we once considered entering the NEVI program to establish our own charging station. The program, initially established under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was designed to support the growing demand for reliable EV charging stations across the U.S. Despite slow progress, it had begun delivering tangible results, with hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to new charging sites.
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In a letter titled “Suspending Approval of State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans,” the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) informed state transportation departments that their previously approved charging infrastructure plans were no longer valid. The administration cited a need to “review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program” and revoked all prior program guidance. Effective immediately, states are barred from obligating (committing) new funds under the program until further notice.
This decision is particularly controversial because NEVI funding was approved by Congress, and many legal experts argue that the administration does not have the authority to override this funding through executive action alone. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifically prevents a president from blocking congressionally appropriated funds without legislative approval. This could lead to legal challenges, similar to the lawsuits already filed against the administration for pausing other federal spending initiatives.
While states can still use funds that have already been obligated, this decision halts any new commitments, meaning that numerous planned charging stations may now be delayed indefinitely. As of late January, the NEVI program had funded 51 operational charging stations with 224 charging ports across 14 states. More importantly, states had awarded $615 million for nearly 1,000 additional stations—many of which now face uncertainty.
Industry leaders and policy experts have been vocal in their criticism of the move. Andrew Wishnia, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate Policy at the U.S. DOT, argued that the memo contradicts federal law, as states have already fulfilled the only requirement necessary to receive NEVI funds: submitting a deployment plan. Similarly, Ryan Gallentine of Advanced Energy United urged state DOTs to continue executing the program despite the new guidance.
The lack of reliable public charging remains a major hurdle for widespread EV adoption in the U.S. While automakers have committed to increasing EV production, consumer hesitation persists due to concerns over charging availability, station reliability, and long wait times. The NEVI program was a crucial step toward addressing this issue, ensuring that a nationwide network of fast chargers would be in place to support the transition to electric mobility.
For businesses, fleet operators, and everyday drivers who were counting on expanded charging infrastructure, this decision creates significant uncertainty. Companies that had already invested in NEVI-supported projects may now need to rethink their strategies, while state transportation departments are left in limbo, waiting for new guidance.
With legal challenges likely, the Trump administration may not have the final say on this issue. Congress has already allocated these funds, and many experts believe courts could rule against the administration’s attempt to stall the program. The FHWA has stated that it will release new draft guidance in the spring, followed by a public comment period, meaning that NEVI funding could remain in limbo for weeks or even months.
At Automotive Addicts, we were once considering participation in the NEVI program to build our own EV charging station. This latest development reminds us of the shifting landscape for EV infrastructure and the challenges of relying on federal support. While the long-term future of NEVI remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the road to an electrified America just hit another speed bump.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the situation and its impact on the future of EV charging in the U.S.
