In a major legal move, 16 States sue the Trump administration for allegedly unlawfully withholding over $2 billion in federal funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, marks the latest confrontation between Democratic-led states and the Trump administration over EV policies.
The case targets the withholding of $1.8 billion for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program and approximately $350 million for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program. Attorneys general from California and Colorado are leading the suit, joined by their counterparts from Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as Pennsylvania’s governor. All are Democrats.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the administration, stating, “The Trump administration’s illegal attempt to stop funding for electric vehicle infrastructure must come to an end. This reckless action stalls the fight against air pollution, slows innovation, and deprives communities of clean transportation access.”
The legal battle stems from a broader Trump-era rollback of Biden-era EV policies. After returning to office in January, Trump ordered states to halt spending funds allocated under the bipartisan infrastructure law. The administration has also proposed rolling back tailpipe emissions rules, fuel economy standards, and EV tax incentives. Trump has repeatedly claimed that federal EV funding is mismanaged, although only a fraction of the obligated funds have been deployed.
This is not the first lawsuit over EV infrastructure funding. Earlier this year, several states sued for withholding from the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, resulting in a federal judge ordering the release of much of the funding. Subsequently, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued guidance to streamline funding applications, with states such as Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Wisconsin announcing awards under the program.
The current lawsuit comes amid a slowdown in EV sales, as mainstream consumers cite high prices and limited charging availability as concerns. New EVs averaged $58,638 last month, compared to $49,814 for all new vehicles, according to Kelley Blue Book. Automakers like Ford are adjusting strategies, shifting toward hybrid and more fuel-efficient vehicles instead of full electrification.
In this case, 16 States sue the Trump administration yet again, underscoring growing tension between state governments and federal policies on EV infrastructure. Advocates argue the outcome could significantly impact the future of clean transportation and green job creation in the U.S.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the nation watches closely to see whether these critical funds will finally be released, enabling wider EV adoption across the country.
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