Trump admin hits brakes on $5B electric vehicle charging station program
The funds were included in a measure signed by then-President Joe Biden in 2021
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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) pumped the brakes on a program to dole out funds to states for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The move regarding the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program comes less than a month into President Donald Trump's second term in office.
In a letter to state Department of Transportation directors dated Feb. 6, Emily Biondi, associate administrator for the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty, discussed the move.
The Federal Highway Administration is pumping the brakes on a program to dole out funds to states for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Getty Images)
"The new leadership of the Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program. Accordingly, the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance are rescinded," Biondi noted.
"As result of the rescission of the NEVI Formula Program Guidance, FHWA is also immediately suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years. Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved," the letter indicated.
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The $5 billion program was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which then-President Joe Biden signed in 2021.
"Instructions for the submission of new State plans for all fiscal years will be included in the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance. Since FHWA is suspending the existing State plans, States will be held harmless for not implementing their existing plans. Until new guidance is issued, reimbursement of existing obligations will be allowed in order to not disrupt current financial commitments," Biondi's letter notes.
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A Department of Transportation spokesperson said in a statement on Friday to Fox News Digital, "We are utilizing the unique authority afforded under the NEVI Formula Program to ensure the Program operates efficiently and effectively and aligns with current U.S. DOT policies and priorities. During this process, no new obligations may occur under the Program, but reimbursement of existing obligations will continue in order to not disrupt current financial commitments"