Thu May 08 05:17:47 UTC 2025: ## Seventeen States Sue Trump Administration Over Blocked EV Charger Funding

**Sacramento, CA – May 8, 2025** – Seventeen states have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of illegally withholding billions of dollars allocated for the construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The lawsuit, led by California, Colorado, and Washington, challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s decision to halt funding from the $5 billion, five-year program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Approximately $3.3 billion had already been disbursed before the Trump administration intervened in February 2025, ordering a stop to further spending.

The states argue that Congress, not the executive branch, holds the authority to control the funding. California Attorney General Rob Bonta denounced the move as “short-sighted,” emphasizing the importance of the funds in shaping the future of transportation and creating jobs. New York, for example, claims $120 million in funding is being withheld. Even Tesla, despite CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiatives, received millions under the program.

The lawsuit highlights the growing tensions between the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental policies and the ongoing push towards EV adoption. The program aimed to address concerns about charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas and “charging deserts.” The slow rollout of chargers, hampered by contracting challenges, permitting delays, and electrical upgrades, is also a key factor. Governor Gavin Newsom of California went so far as to claim that the move would cost thousands of American jobs and benefit China.

This legal challenge is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration reversing climate-related policies enacted under the Biden administration, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and reversing electric vehicle sales targets. The ongoing battle over EV infrastructure underscores the deep political divisions surrounding climate change and the transition to cleaner energy sources. Experts, however, predict that the nation’s EV charging buildout will continue despite the administration’s actions.

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