U.S. Suspends $5 Billion EV Charger Program, Sparking Backlash

[Social Media]

 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) announced Thursday that it is suspending the Biden-era National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a $5 billion initiative aimed at expanding the country’s EV charging network. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back previous energy and environmental policies.  

 

In a letter to state transportation directors, the FHA stated that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is rescinding all existing guidance related to NEVI and will introduce new guidelines that align with the administration’s current priorities. Until then, no new funding obligations under the program will be allowed. The FHA has said it plans to release new guidance for public comment in the spring.  

 

The NEVI program, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was designed to address gaps in the U.S. EV charging network. More than $3 billion has already been allocated to states under the initiative, with Texas being the largest recipient of funds. However, with this sudden suspension, state-level plans carefully developed in coordination with businesses, utilities, and communities may now be in jeopardy.  

 

The decision is the latest in a series of Trump administration efforts to freeze funding that had already been approved by Congress. Democratic lawmakers have criticized such actions, arguing that they violate the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which prevents the executive branch from withholding or delaying the disbursement of funds authorized by Congress.  

 

Newly confirmed White House budget director Russell Vought, however, has expressed his belief that the law is unconstitutional. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has similarly moved to halt climate and EV-related funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, both the EPA and the Justice Department announced this week that they are shutting down their environmental justice offices.  

 

The suspension of NEVI funding has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups and clean energy advocates. The Sierra Club, one of the nation’s largest environmental organizations, condemned the decision in a statement on Friday.  

 

“Freezing these EV charging funds is yet another one of the Trump administration’s unsound and illegal moves," said Katherine García, Director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All program. "This is an attack on bipartisan funding that Congress approved years ago and is driving investment and innovation in every state, with Texas as the largest beneficiary. Throwing out states’ plans, which were carefully built together with business, utilities, and communities, only hurts America’s growing clean energy economy.”  

 

The move could have significant consequences for the U.S. EV market, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years. With federal funding now in limbo, states and private companies may have to adjust their plans, potentially slowing the progress of the country’s transition to electric transportation.  

 

As the administration prepares to release its revised NEVI guidelines, the battle over EV infrastructure funding is likely to continue, with legal and political challenges expected in the months ahead.

 

Based on a report by The Hill 2025-02-10

 

 

[Tug]

That will get challenged and in my view it’s a step backwards we need to get with the program and continue to evolve towards renewables like it or not it’s the future.

[bkk6060]

Certainly won't be the future for the next 4 years.  Drill baby drill..

[HappyExpat57]

But won't that upset president Musk (whose Tesla sales have been plummeting)?

https://evmagazine.com/news/teslas-european-decline-musks-ev-giant-faces-struggles

[KhunLA]

24 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

But won't that upset president Musk (whose Tesla sales have been plummeting)?

https://evmagazine.com/news/teslas-european-decline-musks-ev-giant-faces-struggles

The opposite, as Tesla has their own network of CS.   So lack of subsidizing others, is a positive. 

[Tug]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Certainly won't be the future for the next 4 years.  Drill baby drill..

Gas is up 20 cents per gallon in the last week thats at the cheapest stations in town,seems trumps mouth making sounds ain’t working so well.

[scottiejohn]

42 minutes ago, Tug said:

Gas is up 20 cents per gallon in the last week thats at the cheapest stations in town,seems trumps mouth making sounds ain’t working so well.

Are you surprised?

[Callmeishmael]

Looks like Musk is eliminating the competition!

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Callmeishmael said:

Looks like Musk is eliminating the competition!

He needs to do something, sales of Tesla in Europe have dropped off a cliff, in China too.

 

Oh and in California as well.

 

Maybe can convince the MAGA movement to get of oil and buy Teslas.  

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-03/tesla-sales-decline-in-california-with-model-3-plunging-36

[CallumWK]

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

The opposite, as Tesla has their own network of CS.   So lack of subsidizing others, is a positive. 

 

So less charging stations is a positive? Learn something new every day

[impulse]

Last I saw reported, those $5 Billion dollars had resulted in about a dozen charging stations actually being built.  The rest were held up for regulatory approvals.  That doesn't seem like a prudent way to tie up $5 billion that we don't have. 

 

I'm sure the rest of it would have leaked over the next 10-20 years, resulting in 100 charging stations and no more money.  Going to lawyers and NGOs and consultants and... and...

 

Kinda like high speed rail in Newsom's California. 

 

[Hamus Yaigh]

33 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

So less charging stations is a positive? Learn something new every day

We learn the USA has turned to regressive thinking, climate change denial and neo-luditism.

[PomPolo]

And in Tomorrow's news.... The Trump/Musk organisation launch new 8 Litre V12 car promising maximum hyper-car performance

[KhunLA]

35 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

So less charging stations is a positive? Learn something new every day

Is that's what you read into what I didn't post 

 

Electric & oil / gas, energy industry, have mega if not windfall profits in the million & billions.   So why should the tax payers, especially non EV owners, be subsidizing a highly profitable company, to supply CS ?

 

As customer demand increases, and profit can be made, then service will be provided.

 

Look at TH.   Must be some profit out that, as CS are popping up everywhere, from different vendors.  They're buying low & selling high.  Called 'free enterprise'.  

 

Are Thai's CS vendor subsidized, don't know, but whatever, this 3rd world country seems to be developing alternatives, across the board better than some 1st world countries 

[tjintx]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

That will get challenged and in my view it’s a step backwards we need to get with the program and continue to evolve towards renewables like it or not it’s the future.

 

Batteries built and powered by "fossil" fuel are renewable, how?

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

That will get challenged and in my view it’s a step backwards we need to get with the program and continue to evolve towards renewables like it or not it’s the future.

 

Nonsense. The entire EV agenda is a psy-op. Name of the game is limiting and tracking your travel. Nothing to do with "saving the earth."

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Last I saw reported, those $5 Billion dollars had resulted in about a dozen charging stations actually being built.  The rest were held up for regulatory approvals.  That doesn't seem like a prudent way to tie up $5 billion that we don't have. 

 

I'm sure the rest of it would have leaked over the next 10-20 years, resulting in 100 charging stations and no more money.  Going to lawyers and NGOs and consultants and... and...

 

Kinda like high speed rail in Newsom's California. 

 

A bit thin on facts and thick on assumptions.

[Eric Loh]

40 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

 

Nonsense. The entire EV agenda is a psy-op. Name of the game is limiting and tracking your travel. Nothing to do with "saving the earth."

I think you meant GPS. 

[thaipo7]

6 hours ago, Tug said:

Gas is up 20 cents per gallon in the last week thats at the cheapest stations in town,seems trumps mouth making sounds ain’t working so well.

We know, Biden was the best, right Tug?  Your mouth has not worked well over the period of time I have seen you posts.  Too far Left.

[rudi49jr]

I see Trump and his goons continue to fight windmills. Regular Don Quixote’s, the lot of them. Drill baby, drill….

[spidermike007]

Trump continues his battle against clean energy, the environment and the planet. People possessing his level of ignorance when it comes to environmental concerns behave as if we have nine alternative planets we can move to once we foul this one to a sufficient extent.

 

It could be argued that he is the environment's greatest enemy, but it also could be due to him simply paying off a favor to his big oil buddies. 

 

Whatever you do, don't ever try to make an argument that he isn't highly compromised. 

 

This may become quite interesting, since his buddy Musk is likely advocating for those EV stations, and it's possible at this point in time that Musk has as much power as he does. 

[SiSePuede419]

Naah, Elmo is too busy plundering to notice. 

 

Anuvver IRS caper rubbed out by ol’ Musky, as Homeland Sec lass Kristi Noem reckons Yanks "can't trust the bloomin’ gov’ment."

The State o’ the Union guv’nor weren’t ‘avin it, cuttin’ in sharpish: "You are the gov’ment, luv!"

Musky Wants Judge Who Binned DOGE at Treasury Chucked Out

Oi, don’t be daft, Musky.

Everyone named Donald Trump knows you can’t get the old tin tack for nickin’ a few bob.

Daughter’s Up to a Bit o’ Dodgy Business

Bloke finds out his nipper’s been slippin’ some readies to a mate to do ‘er chores. But she ain’t fussed—Musky sez it’s fair game if you pay some poor sod to do the graft while you swan about like the dog’s dinner.

Oi, Gov’ment!

Where’s me 2025 refund then, eh?

When can I ‘ave it?

"NEVER."

Elmo’s scoffed the lot! 😧

NOM NOM NOM NOM

[stevenl]

8 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Is that's what you read into what I didn't post 

 

Electric & oil / gas, energy industry, have mega if not windfall profits in the million & billions.   So why should the tax payers, especially non EV owners, be subsidizing a highly profitable company, to supply CS ?

 

As customer demand increases, and profit can be made, then service will be provided.

 

Look at TH.   Must be some profit out that, as CS are popping up everywhere, from different vendors.  They're buying low & selling high.  Called 'free enterprise'.  

 

Are Thai's CS vendor subsidized, don't know, but whatever, this 3rd world country seems to be developing alternatives, across the board better than some 1st world countries 

Which highly profitable CS company?

[KhunLA]

6 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Which highly profitable CS company?

You don't think EGAT, PEA/MEA are not profitable, highly profitable.   Along with the fossil fuel (oil & gas, coal) companies supplying the fuels to generate the electricity. 

 

They wouldn't be popping up everywhere if not profitable now, and especially in the future, as EV gain and eventually take over the market share of personal & fleet vehicles.

[Mike_Hunt]

Congress provided $7.5B for electric vehicle chargers. Built so far: Zero.

The sluggish rollout could undermine President Joe Biden’s reelection messaging promoting electric vehicles.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/05/congress-ev-chargers-billions-00129996

 

 

The updated number is seven.  

 

 

[Mike_Hunt]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Trump continues his battle against clean energy, the environment and the planet. People possessing his level of ignorance when it comes to environmental concerns behave as if we have nine alternative planets we can move to once we foul this one to a sufficient extent.

 

It could be argued that he is the environment's greatest enemy, but it also could be due to him simply paying off a favor to his big oil buddies. 

 

Whatever you do, don't ever try to make an argument that he isn't highly compromised. 

 

This may become quite interesting, since his buddy Musk is likely advocating for those EV stations, and it's possible at this point in time that Musk has as much power as he does. 

Come on dude.  After four years and billions allocated.  Seven charging stations have been built.   The program failed. 

[Yagoda]

12 hours ago, Tug said:

Gas is up 20 cents per gallon in the last week thats at the cheapest stations in town,seems trumps mouth making sounds ain’t working so well.

Wow. That says a lot. 

[Chomper Higgot]

16 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Come on dude.  After four years and billions allocated.  Seven charging stations have been built.   The program failed. 

Incorrect:

 

https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-did-biden-administration-spend-7b-on-8-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/21756662/

[Mike_Hunt]

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Incorrect:

 

https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-did-biden-administration-spend-7b-on-8-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/21756662/

I'm not incorrect. The program failed. 

[dinsdale]

10 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

So less charging stations is a positive? Learn something new every day

So a dozen or so charging stations so far for $5,000,000,000 of tax payers money is a positive? Learn something new every day.