A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration had unlawfully withheld billions in funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure from 14 states.
U.S. District Judge Tanarin issued a partial temporary injunction aimed at releasing funds for the development of EV chargers. This came in response to an announcement by President Trump’s Department of Transportation (DOT) back in February that billions earmarked for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program—specifically, a $5 billion initiative—were put on hold. The Biden administration aims to use these funds to create a comprehensive network of EV chargers across the country.
In May, 16 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit opposing the Trump administration’s decision to withhold this funding, arguing that there was no legal basis for such actions.
According to the order, Congress had designated $5 billion for the NEVI Formula Program with the goal of “strategically deploying electrical charging infrastructure” and establishing an interconnected network to enhance data collection and reliability.
The judge’s order doesn’t extend to Minnesota, the District of Columbia, or Vermont. Failure to release the funds promptly could lead to “irreparable harm.” The Trump administration now has until July 2nd to appeal the ruling.
During his term, former President Biden pushed aggressively to increase the production and adoption of EVs. His administration aims to install a network of 500,000 EV chargers across the U.S. by 2030 through the NEVI program, despite expected logistic challenges.
Biden appointed Lynn to the federal bench in 2021, promoting diversity in judicial appointments. In an April 2021 press release, the White House emphasized that the nominees reflect the nation’s diversity, both personally and professionally.
A spokesperson from the DOT criticized the ruling, stating that it’s just another example of “liberal judicial activism” aimed at attacking President Trump. They added that guidance from the Biden administration had been ineffective, and they are reviewing legal options. However, the order still ultimately benefits Americans who continue to use EVs and are waiting for advancements in the charging program.
A White House representative noted that approximately 84% of the allocated funds have not been utilized since the NEVI Formula program’s inception. Moreover, about 75% of the states involved in the lawsuit were unable to spend a significant portion of the funds they had received.
