Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Release Electric Vehicle Charger Funding in 14 States

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release funding for electric vehicle chargers in several states. The money, approved under President Biden, was withheld by the Trump administration earlier this year. Sixteen states and D.C. sued over this action, arguing that the funds were congressionally approved. The program aimed to allocate $5 billion over five years, with $3.3 billion already available.

The judge ordered funding release in 14 states, including Arizona, California, and New York. However, she denied the injunction for D.C., Minnesota, and Vermont due to insufficient evidence of immediate harm. The judge stated that the Trump administration exceeded its authority by freezing the funds approved by Congress in 2021.

The order will take effect on July 2 unless appealed. The Federal Highway Administration has not commented on the decision. The Trump administration had directed states to halt spending on electric vehicle charging in February, part of a broader environmental policy rollback.

States argued that freezing funding disrupted ongoing projects, leading to the need for court intervention. California's Attorney General welcomed the order, stating that the administration's actions were unconstitutional. The program aimed to address electric vehicle concerns and build infrastructure along highways.

States have faced challenges in installing chargers, including contracting issues and permitting delays. Some states have been reimbursed, while others are still in the process. New York, awarded over $175 million, has $120 million withheld by the Trump administration.

According to the source: AP News.