Judge Bars Trump Administration From Blocking EV Charger Funding

U.S. District Judge Tana Lin ruled that the Trump administration violated federal law by suspending billions of dollars in congressionally approved funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The program, established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was frozen in February 2025 following an executive order by President Donald Trump and the appointment of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Judge Lin found that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration acted with "capriciousness" and lacked the legal authority to override congressional mandates.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed in May 2025 by a coalition of 20 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia. The court permanently bars federal agencies from canceling approved implementation plans or withholding funds for reasons not authorized by Congress. While the administration had partially lifted the pause in the summer of 2025 and introduced revised guidance to align the program with priorities of safety and efficiency, states sought the injunction to prevent further unpredictable disruptions.

Following the judgment, states have resumed project deployments. The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded $12.16 million to five companies—Electric Era, Energy Northwest, EV Gateway, EVgo, and Tesla—to build 14 charging stations along major highways. Similarly, the ruling preserves over $62 million in federal funds for Wisconsin, allowing the state to establish charging stations along Alternative Fuel Corridors.