A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing over the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in the US! Sixteen states and the District of Columbia are taking the Trump administration to court, accusing them of illegally withholding over $2 billion specifically earmarked for building out vital EV charging infrastructure.
These significant funds, part of the bipartisan infrastructure law passed under former President Joe Biden, were designed to help states develop a robust, nationwide network of chargers. But states say the Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are “impounding” these crucial allocations.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta didn’t mince words, calling the move “another reckless attempt” that will cripple the fight against air pollution and climate change, slow innovation, stop green job creation, and leave communities without access to clean transportation. This isn’t the first time states have battled the administration over these funds; a prior lawsuit resulted in some funding being released. This new suit focuses on two separate programs: $1.8 billion for Charging and Fuelling Infrastructure Grants and another $350 million for EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility.
The Trump administration ordered states to halt spending this money, signaling a clear pivot away from Biden-era policies supporting cleaner vehicles. While Biden pushed for EV adoption through incentives and stricter emissions rules, the Trump administration has proposed rolling back these measures, favoring an oil and gas agenda and even questioning the efficacy of existing charging programs.
This legal drama unfolds as US EV sales have seen a slowdown, partly due to buyer concerns about charging availability and vehicle prices. Automakers like Ford and Honda have even adjusted their EV strategies, focusing more on hybrids. This lawsuit underscores the deeply contrasting visions for America’s automotive future.
Source: https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2025/12/17/fgn6-us-trump-ev-charging-lawsuit.html
