Shifts in policy priorities around electric vehicles (EVs) and other actions taken by the second Trump Administration have been followed by legal challenges and further perspectives regarding the federal role in EV charging infrastructure deployment. Actions including the pause and potential repeal of federal programs—such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program—would reduce federal investment in EV infrastructure specifically, and fleet electrification more broadly. This could slow the overall pace of EV infrastructure deployment, potentially increase the financial exposure of the private sector, and contribute to regional disparities in charging availability.
Conversely, an absence of federal investment may lead to increased private-sector investments in charging infrastructure deployment; and industry leaders (e.g., vehicle and infrastructure manufacturers, delivery services companies, commercial developers) may strengthen their commitment to vehicle electrification. As the Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Energy (DOE) adjust programs amid budget and staffing constraints, legislative actions and the outcomes of the Administration's program reviews are among the factors likely to shape the near-term trajectory of federal vehicle electrification efforts.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) established a $5 billion formula grant program ($1 billion in each of FY2022-FY2026) within DOT to deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure along the national highway system, primarily along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are to submit plans annually to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to receive funding. When FHWA certifies a recipient's AFCs are fully built out, remaining funds may be used to deploy community charging infrastructure along public roads and in other publicly accessible locations (e.g., public schools, parks, and facilities; federal lands; certain private facilities).
NEVI projects include acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure. The federal cost-share is 80%; private contractors engaged to support a project are permitted to contribute all or part of the 20% nonfederal cost-share. In 2024, FHWA issued the NEVI Formula Program Guidance ("NEVI Guidance"; now rescinded) that detailed additional aspects of NEVI program implementation.
FHWA's NEVI Standards and Requirements, issued in March 2023, established minimum standards for installation, operation, and maintenance of NEVI-funded and certain other federally funded charging infrastructure. Standards include
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation ("Joint Office") was established to implement joint issues between DOE and DOT, and to coordinate support for the NEVI program and other charging infrastructure efforts.
FHWA allocated a total of $3.3 billion of NEVI funding to states through FY2025. According to FHWA, states had awarded or obligated $527 million by February 6, 2025. An estimated 57 NEVI-funded charging stations had opened across 15 states as of February 10, 2025; more than half of these were located in Ohio and New York. The Joint Office's most recent report documents the implementation of the NEVI program through August 2024.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy," which directed federal agencies to
immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, and shall review their processes, policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans, contracts, or any other financial disbursements of such appropriated funds for consistency with the law and the policy outlined in section 2 of this order.
On February 6, 2025, DOT rescinded the NEVI Guidance and withdrew approvals of state plans; no new obligations may occur until FHWA issues updated guidance and new state plans are submitted and approved. According to the memorandum, "FHWA is updating the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with current U.S. DOT policy and priorities."
In May 2025, 16 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit challenging the Administration's actions. The lawsuit alleges violations of both the Administrative Procedure Act and various constitutional provisions. Separately, on May 22, 2025, the Government Accountability Office issued a decision on its interpretation that sought to clarify when obligations under the NEVI program must be recorded under the recording statute (31 U.S.C. §1501) and found that "DOT's actions to delay the expenditure of funds for the NEVI Formula Program constitute an impoundment" in violation of the Impoundment Control Act.
The NEVI program is one of several federal programs and incentives that support expansion of EV charging and other alternative fuel infrastructure. Other affected programs include the $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant program (also paused by Executive Order 14154), which provides funding to deploy publicly accessible alternative fuel infrastructure: EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure. It is not clear whether states are able to issue awards for charging infrastructure projects, or when NEVI disbursements might resume. Furthermore, reports of staff reductions across federal agencies—including at DOE and DOT—could pose challenges for administering the NEVI program.
The 119th Congress may consider multiple aspects of NEVI program implementation through oversight or legislation. For example, some members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Duffy in February 2025 seeking additional information on DOT actions regarding the NEVI program. Additionally, Members have introduced legislation to limit or repeal the NEVI program (e.g., H.R. 191, H.R. 1052, H.R. 1513, S. 1066).