Context:

A coalition of over a dozen states, including California, Colorado, and Washington, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation following the Trump administration's decision to halt a federal program funding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The states argue this pause in the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is unlawful and severely undermines efforts to expand EV accessibility, combat climate change, and support green economies. California, leading the charge, has set ambitious goals to require all new vehicles to be zero emissions by 2035, and the funding halt could jeopardize these plans. The lawsuit seeks to annul the Trump administration's directives and ensure the continuation of federal funds, which are crucial for the deployment of extensive EV charging stations. This legal action also comes amid nationwide protests against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, further highlighting the contentious climate surrounding EV policies and infrastructure.

Dive Deeper:

• The lawsuit involves 16 states and the District of Columbia challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) decision to halt Congress' $5 billion NEVI program, which was intended to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.

• President Trump's directive on January 20, pausing the disbursement of funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, has led to the Federal Highway Administration revoking state plan approvals and withholding NEVI funds.

• The affected states argue that the FHWA's actions are illegal and detrimental to their efforts to build necessary EV infrastructure, which is crucial for making electric vehicles more accessible to consumers and supporting environmental objectives.

• California, one of the leading states in the lawsuit, has ambitious plans to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035, and the halt in funding threatens to derail these efforts, particularly the need for hundreds of thousands of additional EV charging ports.

• Governor Gavin Newsom of California has criticized the funding halt as an illegal act that benefits China by stifling American innovation and job creation, and he urges the federal government to release the bipartisan funding to support EV infrastructure.

• The lawsuit coincides with acts of vandalism and protests targeting Tesla, exacerbated by the company's association with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reflecting broader tensions surrounding EV policies and infrastructure development.

• The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, showcasing a widespread opposition to the administration's decision.