Trump Administration freezes NEVI funding for new EV chargers

The Trump administration just put the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program) on hold, freezing billions in federal funds meant to expand the U.S. public charging network. The decision halts new project approvals and throws long-term EV infrastructure plans into uncertainty.

What just happened? The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) notified state DOTs that all previously approved NEVI plans are no longer valid. Effective immediately:

• No new projects can move forward until FHWA issues new guidance.

• Funds that were already obligated (legally committed to projects) are still good, but nothing else can be approved.

• FHWA says new guidance is coming in the spring, but without a clear timeline, delays could last for months.

Some states aren’t waiting to see how this plays out. At least six—including Ohio and Rhode Island—have already paused their NEVI programs, per EV analyst Loren McDonald, speaking to Politico.

Why this matters: The freeze disrupts one of the biggest federal investments in EV infrastructure at a time when public charging remains a major barrier to EV adoption.

• The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act structured NEVI as a formula-based funding program, meaning states were counting on these funds as a sure thing to build out chargers.

• The NEVI rollout has been slow but gaining traction—states had awarded $615 million to nearly 1,000 stations, though only 51 are operational, per EV data firm Paren.

• Automakers, charging companies, and state agencies have been making long-term investments based on these funds, and a prolonged delay could slow private sector expansion as well.

Big picture: Building a nationwide EV charging network isn’t a walk in the park. Each city, county, and state has its own rules, making the process messy and slow—especially outside of wealthy areas. The government’s funding system adds even more complexity. The feds write the checks, but states decide how to spend them.

• Some states moved quickly, partnering with private companies to break ground on charging sites. Others got bogged down in bureaucracy, struggling with permitting delays and local pushback.

• Now, with funding in limbo, even well-organized states could see momentum stall—while slower-moving states fall even further behind.

The legal fight ahead: The administration’s ability to pause NEVI funding is already being challenged.

• Andrew Rogers, former FHWA deputy administrator, told Wired that there’s no legal basis for revoking already-apportioned funds.

• The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 prohibits presidents from unilaterally withholding congressionally approved spending, and two federal judges have already ruled against broader federal funding freezes, per Politico.

• Ryan Gallentine, managing director at Advanced Energy United, told InsideEVs that states aren’t legally required to stop projects, urging them to keep moving forward despite FHWA’s letter.

Zooming out: With no clear resolution, states are weighing their next move—some may wait for federal guidance, while others could take legal action to challenge the funding freeze. If litigation succeeds, NEVI could get back on track. But in the meantime? This pause risks delaying the expansion of public charging at a time when EV adoption still depends on it.

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