A U.S. District Judge in Seattle, Tana Lin, issued a temporary ruling blocking the Trump administration from halting funds for electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure in 14 states, including California, New York, Illinois, and Washington. These states had previously been awarded billions of dollars for EV charging projects.
The court found the states likely to succeed in their lawsuit, which claims the federal government unlawfully withheld the funds. The ruling stems from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act’s EV charger funding program, which the Trump administration suspended in February.
Funding Freeze on EV Program Sparks Legal Clash Between States and Trump Administration
The $5 billion program, aimed at accelerating EV infrastructure development, was a cornerstone of former President Joe Biden’s climate policy. In February, the U.S. Transportation Department not only paused the initiative but also withdrew prior approval for how states intended to spend the money. Although several states sued in response, the court’s ruling only applies to 14 states.
Other plaintiffs, such as the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and Vermont, were excluded from the immediate ruling due to a lack of proof that the funding freeze would cause them imminent harm.
Judge Blocks Trump-Era Freeze on EV Charger Funds as States Fight Back in CourtState officials responded strongly to the Trump administration’s actions. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the administration for allegedly acting in favor of oil industry interests at the expense of legally established programs.
The lawsuit argues that the funding freeze jeopardizes state efforts to expand EV accessibility, fight climate change, reduce pollution, and promote green economic development. Judge Lin noted that the states had already invested their own resources into these initiatives, assuming federal funds would follow as promised.
Republicans Advance Nationwide Effort to Dismantle Electric Vehicle and Clean Energy Policies
The legal battle reflects a broader Republican-led movement to roll back EV-related initiatives. This month, California and 10 other states filed a separate lawsuit over the repeal of regulations requiring a shift to electric vehicles by 2035. Meanwhile, legislation passed by the U.S. House seeks to eliminate the $7,500 federal tax credit for new EV purchases and reverse vehicle emissions standards meant to increase EV production. These actions form part of a coordinated effort to scale back environmental and clean energy policies.
Federal agencies have also taken steps in line with the policy shift. The U.S. General Services Administration halted the installation of new government EV charging stations and began deactivating non-essential existing ones. Judge Lin’s ruling, which takes effect in seven days, leaves a narrow window for the Trump administration to appeal and possibly prevent the injunction from being enforced. The outcome of this legal dispute could significantly influence the future of federal and state collaboration on EV infrastructure.
