The Trump administration has recently suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a $5 billion initiative aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the United States. This suspension halts the approval of state plans and the allocation of new funds until revised guidance is issued. States are instructed to pause spending previously allocated funds and await new guidelines, which the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plans to release in the spring.
The NEVI program, established under the Biden administration, was designed to strategically deploy EV chargers nationwide, covering up to 80% of eligible project costs. The suspension has raised legal concerns, with experts suggesting it may violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which restricts presidents from withholding congressionally approved funding.
This move could significantly delay the deployment of NEVI-funded charging stations, which have already faced bureaucratic hurdles. As of November 2024, there were 126 public charging ports in operation across 31 NEVI stations in nine states, marking an 83% increase from the previous quarter. The suspension may disrupt ongoing projects and impact businesses involved in developing charging infrastructure, including Tesla, which has received $31 million in NEVI funds to install 539 DC fast-charging ports.
The suspension reflects the administration’s broader efforts to reverse pro-EV policies, potentially affecting the expansion of EV infrastructure and the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.
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