A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release funding for electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure in 14 states.
The funding was approved under former President Joe Biden but was withheld by the Trump administration earlier in the year.
The big picture: Sixteen states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the withholding of funds was unconstitutional. The judge, Tana Lin, partially granted the preliminary injunction, releasing the funding in 14 states, including Arizona, California, and New York.
- Lin ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority by freezing funding previously approved by Congress in 2021 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- The judge’s order is set to go into effect on July 2 unless the Trump administration appeals. The Federal Highway Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling.
Driving the news: In February, the Trump administration directed states to stop spending money on EV charging projects under the program, part of a broader effort to roll back environmental policies set by the previous administration.
- States argued that the funding freeze disrupted ongoing projects, requiring immediate court intervention. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the Trump administration’s actions were unconstitutional and praised the court’s decision.
- The installation of EV chargers has faced delays due to contracting challenges, permitting delays, and complex electrical upgrades. Some states had already been reimbursed by federal funds, while others had halted their projects.
- States like New York, awarded significant federal funds, are fighting against the Trump administration’s withholding of funds. Approximately $120 million is currently being withheld from New York by the administration.
