Trump administration has halted federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations, effectively suspending the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This program, established under the previous administration, allocated $5 billion over five years to support the installation of EV chargers nationwide.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that it is delaying the approval of funds intended for states to install chargers along the interstate highway system. This decision has created uncertainty for states and private companies that have invested billions of dollars in the infrastructure necessary to support America’s highway transportation network.
Industry leaders, including Ryan Gallentine, managing director of Advanced Energy United, have expressed concerns about the impact of this suspension on the progress made in expanding EV charging infrastructure. Gallentine stated that the halt “creates great uncertainty for the billions of dollars states and private companies are investing in the urgently needed infrastructure to support America’s highway transportation network.”
The NEVI program was part of a bipartisan infrastructure package passed in 2021, aiming to accelerate the adoption of plug-in vehicles by providing funding for the installation of chargers in every state. The suspension of this program aligns with President Trump’s economic policy to revoke pro-EV policies implemented by the previous administration.
As a result of this decision, states have been instructed to halt their plans for installing new EV chargers, leading to potential delays in the expansion of EV infrastructure across the country. The private sector, which has significantly invested in EV infrastructure, asserts that consumer demand will continue to drive the expansion of charging networks despite the federal funding issues.
The suspension of federal funding for EV charging stations raises concerns about the future growth and reliability of EV infrastructure in the United States, potentially impacting the adoption of electric vehicles and the nation’s efforts to combat climate change.
