President Donald Trump's administration has directed states to halt spending on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, citing concerns about taxpayer dollars. This move raises questions about the future of the electric vehicle charging network and its impact on the transition to clean energy.
Experts are questioning President Donald Trump’s latest effort to slow the electric vehicle charging buildout in the U.S. In a letter Thursday night, the Trump administration directed states to stop spending money for EV charging infrastructure, funds they were allocated under former President Joe Biden. Trump has slammed federal funding for electric vehicle chargers as “an incredible waste of taxpayer dollars.
” The administration may need an act of Congress for this, and it’s unclear there will be one. Industry leaders say customer demand will continue to drive growth in the charging network, regardless of federal funding. The Tesla Supercharger network — led by CEO Elon Musk, now a prominent member of Trump’s inner circle — itself has received millions of dollars through the program that was just halted. But it also has a massive footprint of chargers across the country. Tesla will continue expanding its network regardless of federal money — and likely still benefit from its competitors receiving fewer funds. \On his first day in office Trump paused billions of dollars in funding for a nationwide buildout of fast electric car chargers that had been allocated to states through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula program.Some states, including Alabama and Rhode Island, already had suspended their programs with the Inauguration Day order, but Thursday’s directive is a further push from the Trump administration to halt federal efforts to electrify the roads and reduce planet-warming emissions from transportation. States that currently have NEVI-funded projects up and running mostly have been reimbursed by the federal government. But the new memo means states with projects in the works, or those currently contracting for them, have to come to a screeching halt, and they don’t know if or when they will be able to proceed and request reimbursement. \NEVI was created through the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed by Congress in 2021, to fill gaps in the EV charging infrastructure network. For example, before, it might not have penciled out for a private company to install a charger along a rural highway with little traffic versus in a busy city, so this funding is an incentive to electrify those neglected regions. NEVI also addresses the concern many car buyers have for road trips where charging stations are too far apart. This announcement creates uncertainty, said Ryan Gallentine, managing director at business association Advanced Energy United. “Most of the unawarded money is sitting in state Department of Transportation bank accounts ready to be spent,” Gallentine said in a statement. States are under no obligation to stop these projects based solely on this announcement, he said. “We call on state DOTs and program administrators to continue executing this program until new guidance is finalized”,
Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Funding Trump Administration Clean Energy Transportation
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Administration Halts Approval of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure PlansThe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under President Trump has suspended approval of state plans for deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure under the \$5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to curtail climate-focused initiatives.
Read more »
Trump Administration Halts DEI Programs, Places Staff on LeaveThe Trump administration has taken swift action to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI) programs across federal agencies. Employees in DEI offices have been placed on paid administrative leave, and agencies have been instructed to remove DEI-related websites, social media accounts, and training programs. This move follows a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling the DEI bureaucracy and ending its use in federal contracting. The administration argues that DEI programs are discriminatory and unproductive, while critics contend that they are crucial for promoting equality and opportunity.
Read more »
Iran Halts Nuclear Weapons Development, Signaling Possible Talks with Trump AdministrationIn a move interpreted as a potential attempt to initiate negotiations with the U.S. on easing sanctions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly prohibited the development of nuclear weapons. This announcement, made by the head of Iran's 'Armed Forces Judiciary' on January 21, follows rising concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency about Iran's nuclear activities. While Iran has denied allegations of pursuing nuclear weapons, the move suggests a willingness to engage with the Trump administration and address the economic challenges posed by Western sanctions.
Read more »
Trump Administration Halts Communications and WHO Collaboration at Federal Health AgenciesThe incoming Trump administration has implemented sweeping changes to federal health agencies, including a temporary halt on all non-emergency external communications and a suspension of work with the World Health Organization (WHO). This action has resulted in the delay of the CDC's weekly report and travel restrictions for some agency staff.
Read more »
Trump Administration Halts U.S. Global Health Funding, Including PEPFARThe Trump administration has halted nearly all U.S. global health funding, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), for at least 90 days pending a review. PEPFAR, which provides HIV/AIDS medications and education to over 20.6 million people, faces a potential pause in operations, jeopardizing millions of lives and halting salaries of hundreds of contractors. The immediate cessation of funding has shocked the global health community, with many fearing irreparable harm to the global AIDS response.
Read more »
Afghan Allies Face Uncertainty and Cut-Offs After Trump Administration Halts AidThousands of Afghans who worked for or on behalf of the US government are facing dire consequences after the Trump administration halted foreign aid and barred federally funded help. This has left them without access to critical resources and created uncertainty about their ability to travel to the United States. The freeze on foreign assistance directly impacts Afghans who received Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and those awaiting other refugee visas.
Read more »