The Trump administration has halted a $5 billion electric vehicle charging initiative, signaling a major shift in transportation policy.
He just can’t stop ending waste!
At a Glance
- Trump administration orders suspension of $5 billion electric vehicle charging program
- Only eight stations completed by May 2024, despite Biden’s claim of 500,000
- Federal Highway Administration issues memo to halt spending on the program
- Move exacerbates challenges faced by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
- Legality of pausing the program questioned by critics
Trump Administration Halts Biden-Era EV Program
In a significant reversal of Biden-era policies, the Trump administration has ordered U.S. states to suspend a $5 billion electric vehicle charging station program. The initiative, part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, was established under the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a memo to State Transportation Directors, instructing them to cease spending on the program immediately.
The Department of Transportation, under new leadership, is conducting a comprehensive review of the policies underlying the NEVI Formula Program. Emily Biondi, a spokesperson for the department, stated, “The new leadership of the Department of Transportation has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program.”
Just think of how much waste is going to be revealed over the next four years…
The suspension affects all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans until new guidance is issued. However, to prevent financial disruption, existing obligations for designing and building charging stations will still be reimbursed.
Biondi clarified, “Until new guidance is issued, reimbursement of existing obligations will be allowed in order to not disrupt current financial commitments.”
This decision has raised questions about its legality, with critics arguing that it may violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Andrew Rogers, a legal expert, claimed the memo “appears to ignore both the law and multiple restraining orders that have been issued by federal courts.”
Criticism and Challenges
The NEVI program has faced significant criticism for its limited achievements. Despite President Biden’s claim in August 2024 that 500,000 charging stations had been built, reports indicate that only eight stations were completed by May 2024. This discrepancy has been a source of embarrassment for former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who publicly admitted difficulties in finding electric charging stations while traveling.
“As result of the rescission of the NEVI Formula Program Guidance, FHWA is also immediately suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years. Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved,” Biondi added.
The Trump administration’s decision to pause the program aligns with its broader stance on electric vehicles. Trump has been critical of EVs and has already revoked a Biden-era order aimed at increasing EV sales by 2030. This latest move signals a shift towards focusing more on traditional vehicles rather than electric ones.
Trump is entrusting the free market to decide if EV stations are required – and if people keep buying them, then the companies who make the cars will step up. Just like Tesla already has.
