Trump Administration Unlawfully Suspended EV Charger Funding, US Judge Rules

A federal judge has ruled that US President Donald Trump's administration acted unlawfully when it suspended funding designated for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure expansion, delivering a significant victory to 20 Democratic-led states that challenged the measure, news agency Reuters has reported. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Seattle ruled in favour of 20 states plus the District of Columbia on Friday, following their legal challenge to the U.S. Department of Transportation's February suspension of an EV charger infrastructure programme established by Congress in 2021 under Democratic President Joe Biden.

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Judge Lin, a Biden appointee, stated the DOT and the Federal Highway Administration "yanked the NEVI Formula Program's cord out of the outlet," without operating within the statutory framework of established administrative law as mandated.

Environmental groups including the Sierra Club welcomed the ruling, stating it guarantees states can proceed with constructing infrastructure financed by the legislation.

Lin's order permanently prohibits the Transportation Department from withdrawing the states' funding or terminating their previously authorised implementation plans.

"Judge Lin's order is a resounding win for the rule of law and for smart investment in our clean energy future," Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, said in a statement, as per the Reuters report.

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The Transportation Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Shortly after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assumed office in February, the DOT suspended the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which formed part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Biden enacted in 2021.

The Trump administration has implemented numerous policies aimed at promoting petrol-powered vehicle sales whilst reducing EV incentives for manufacturers and consumers.

States spearheaded by California, Colorado and Washington filed suit in May, contending the Trump administration was improperly withholding billions of dollars they had previously been allocated.

The administration maintained it constituted merely a temporary pause, which it subsequently lifted after the judge earlier issued a preliminary injunction and the agency released fresh guidance.

However, Judge Lin determined the 2021 legislation never envisaged even temporary suspensions in funding for EV infrastructure construction.

"In short, Defendants defied the will of Congress by withholding funds in a manner not contemplated by the IIJA," she wrote.

The U.S. Senate is scheduled next week to examine legislation that has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, which would redirect $879 million in funds approved under Biden for the EV charging network to alternative infrastructure priorities.