States Sue Trump Administration Over Delayed EV Charging Grant Funds
Key Takeaways
- States are suing the Trump administration over delayed EV charging grants totaling more than $2 billion.
- The lawsuit targets USDOT’s failure to process funding under two EV programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- This marks the second legal challenge over EV charging funds, following a May lawsuit that restored $1 billion through a court injunction
A group of state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a failure to process federal grants intended to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure nationwide.
According to Spectrum News 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has not approved new funding under two EV charging programs since spring 2025, forcing states to cancel projects already underway and delays additional charger deployments.
Federal EV Programs at Center of Lawsuit
The two programs were established under the Biden-era Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and collectively provide approximately $3 billion for the installation, repair and expansion of EV charging infrastructure, Spectrum News 1 reported.
The programs at the center of the lawsuit are the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program, which funds the buildout a national EV charging network, and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program, which supports the replacement, repair and improvement of non-functioning public chargers, Spectrum News 1 reported.
Billions in Funds Allegedly Withheld
According to the Associated Press, the administration has withheld more than $2 billion in funding that had already been obligated to the states by Congress during the Biden administration.
The lawsuit states that $1.8 billion has been withheld under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program, along with an additional $350 million under the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program, the Associated Press reports.
Second Lawsuit Over EV Charging Funds
Tuesday’s lawsuit is the second legal challenge filed by states related to delayed EV charging funds.
In May, states sued USDOT over its failure to distribute $5 billion authorized under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction, finding the funding freeze unlawful and unconstitutional, and restored $1 billion in federal funding, according to Spectrum 1 News.
Following the ruling, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued guidance aimed at streamlining funding applications and accelerating charger deployment, according to the Associated Press.
The coalition bringing the lawsuit includes California, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia, as well as the governor of Pennsylvania, the outlets reported.
Sources: Spectrum News 1, Associated Press