The Blubber

The Trump administration has directed states to halt a program to build high-speed EV chargers along highways nationwide, according to a memo from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The memo informs state transportation officials that any EV infrastructure plans previously approved under the Biden administration are now suspended "until new guidance is issued."

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program was established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand America’s EV charging network and was backed by $5 billion in federal grants. President Trump has been a vocal critic of the program and frequently misrepresented it during the 2024 campaign.

Trump often claimed that the Biden administration spent $9 billion to build just eight charging stations, occasionally revising the number down to eight individual chargers. In reality, 55 charging stations have been constructed so far, according to data provided by The Washington Post. Of the $5 billion allocated for the program, just over $2 billion has been distributed to states, with much of the funding still unspent.

According to the FHWA memo, the government will honor the financial obligations of NEVI only if states have already finalized contracts with charging companies. Contracts that have not yet been signed are likely to be placed on indefinite hold.

Is it legal for the FHWA to unilaterally suspend a program approved by Congress? The answer is unclear. Loren McDonald, chief analyst at EV charging analytics firm Paren, said, "I don’t believe FHWA has the authority to do this."

Ryan Gallentine, managing director at the national business association Advanced Energy United, echoed that view, saying states "are under no obligation to stop these projects based solely on this announcement." He urged state leaders to "continue executing this program until new guidance is finalized."