Trump administration stops illegal freeze of $5B EV charger funds after losing in court

The Trump administration had withheld $5 billion in federal funding intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, prompting a coalition of states to sue. In June 2025, a judge ruled against the administration’s freeze and issued an injunction, compelling the Department of Transportation (DOT) to release the funds. The DOT, led by Sean Duffy, criticized states for slow spending, noting that as of May, 84% of the funds remained unallocated and only a few dozen chargers had been installed. The administration claimed the freeze was part of a review to align the program with its priorities. Following the court ruling, the DOT issued new guidance simplifying the review process for states to access the funds. This revision removed several previous requirements, including consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting considerations, and mandates to build chargers in rural, underserved, or disadvantaged communities. Additionally, the DOT eliminated language promoting strong labor standards, safety training, and