Trump's Dept Of Transport Hits Brakes On Bidens EV Charger Build-out

If you were hoping the Biden administration's $5 billion investment in building a cross-country network of EV chargers would soon have you road-tripping in an electric car without range anxiety, think again: The Trump-led US Dept of Transport has put the plan under review and halted new funding.

In a letter [PDF] to state-level transportation officials by the department's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) yesterday, the office ordered states to pause new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) project approvals and stop all new spending commitments immediately. 

"The new leadership of the Department of Transportation has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program," associate administrator Emily Biondi said. "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."

In other words, if you've been given the okay to draw any cash from that $5 billion Biden-era pot, hold your horses.

"States will be held harmless for not implementing their existing plans," Biondi added. 

That's not to say the program is beyond the range of resurrection. While guidance for how to apply for NEVI funds has been rescinded and state plans are suspended, the Trump administration's DoT is planning to update the rules "to align with current … priorities." 

"The FHWA aims to have updated draft NEVI Formula Guidance published for public comment in the spring," the letter to state DoT leaders said. "After the public comment period has closed, FHWA will publish updated final NEVI Formula Guidance that responds to the comments received."

States were told they could apply for reimbursement of "existing obligations" to not disrupt their financial commitments, but beyond that, no new funding until further notice.

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In his flurry of day 1 executive orders, Trump targeted EV initiatives including NEVI. One order specifically called for the termination of the "green new deal" and the pausing of funds disbursed through NEVI. But it allows for the potential resumption of the program once officials "have determined that such disbursements are consistent with any review recommendations they have chosen to adopt." Given Trump's critical stance on EV mandates, the future of the program remains uncertain. 

To be fair, criticism of NEVI is warranted. The program, designed to establish EV corridors with widely available and standardized fast chargers to reduce reliance on gasoline-powered vehicles, has been slow in its rollout. 

The program has awarded more than $500 million to 37 states and territories of America for the development of EV charging stations. However, only 14 of them have managed to build at least one operational station, according to EV States Clearinghouse.

Given NEVI's record to date, a review of the program seems justified. But whether killing the program entirely - something Trump's rhetoric has made seem plausible - and whether states will challenge the halt in court remains to be seen. ®