Trump Administration Restarts $5B National EV Charger Funding After Court Ruling

The Trump administration has reversed its previous stance and is moving forward with the Biden-era $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to build public electric vehicle chargers nationwide, following a federal court ruling that blocked an earlier freeze. The U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, has issued new guidance intended to streamline the application process by cutting red tape, removing requirements related to consumer protections, environmental reviews, labor standards, and prioritization of rural or disadvantaged communities. This marks a shift from the administration's prior efforts to halt or roll back pro-EV initiatives, as the program had faced bipartisan criticism for slow progress, with only a few dozen chargers built and 84% of funds still unobligated. The revised guidance aims to expedite infrastructure development while respecting congressional mandates, despite disagreements within the administration about subsidizing green energy. Critics note that the removal of provisions supporting minority- and women-owned businesses and labor standards could reduce the program's social equity impact. Overall, the administration's current approach seeks to cut bureaucratic hurdles to boost the deployment of EV charging infrastructure through 2026.