The Trump administration has directed U.S. states to suspend a pivotal $5 billion electric vehicle charging station program, a key component of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative. This directive emerged following a memo issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), instructing state transportation directors to halt spending of funds allocated under NEVI. The announcement marks a significant shift in the federal approach to electric vehicle infrastructure, underscoring the administration’s critical stance on electric vehicles.
Emily Biondi, the FHWA's associate administrator for planning, environment, and realty, authored the memo that effectively pauses the NEVI Formula Program. The document explicitly states that until updated final guidance is released and new state plans are approved, no new obligations can be initiated. Consequently, the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, along with all previous versions, has been rescinded.
"The new leadership of the Department of Transportation … has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program," said Emily Biondi.
The NEVI program aims to provide strategic funding to states for deploying electric vehicle chargers nationwide. As of last November, 31 NEVI stations are operational across nine states, collectively housing 126 public charging ports. This figure represents an 83% increase in operational NEVI ports since the previous quarter, as reported by NEVI authorities.
Funding through the NEVI initiative covers up to 80% of eligible project costs, including acquisition, installation, and network connection of EV chargers. To date, 41 states have initiated at least their first round of solicitations. Among these, 35 states have issued conditional awards or established agreements for over 3,560 fast-charging ports across more than 890 charging station locations.
However, this suspension of the program deals a substantial setback to environmental efforts. The FHWA's removal of several NEVI-related webpages further clouds the future of electric vehicle infrastructure development under the current administration. This move aligns with President Trump's longstanding criticism of electric vehicles. He has previously expressed his disdain, suggesting that supporters of EVs should "rot in hell." Trump also warned that President Biden's advocacy for EVs could result in a "bloodbath" for the U.S. automotive industry.
"As result of the rescission of the NEVI Formula Program Guidance, FHWA is also immediately suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years. Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved," stated Emily Biondi.