California Files Lawsuit to Release EV Infrastructure Funds

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Modern electric vehicle charging station in California.

News Summary

California joins 15 states in suing the Trump administration to release billions for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Attorney General Rob Bonta argues the funding withheld under a bipartisan infrastructure law hinders EV growth and undermines green technology. This lawsuit, aiming to uphold Congressional authority, reflects ongoing tensions between state and federal policies impacting climate goals and innovation in the electric vehicle market.

California is at the center of a legal battle as it joins 15 other states in filing a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to compel the release of billions of dollars intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This funding was earmarked under a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law that President Joe Biden signed in 2021.

The lawsuit was publicly announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta at an EV charging station in Burlingame. Bonta condemned President Trump’s actions, arguing that his administration’s refusal to release the funds constitutes unconstitutional overreach. The lawsuit specifically targets funding that Congress allocated for EV charging stations, which has been withheld by the Trump administration.

California is poised to receive $300 million from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a component of Biden’s 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but these funds have not been released. The lawsuit highlights that the Federal Highway Administration is neglecting its legal duties by failing to provide the funds approved by Congress, thereby violating federal law.

This legal action represents California’s 19th engagement in litigation against the Trump administration since he took office in January 2017. The involvement of other states—including Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Vermont, along with the District of Columbia—reflects a broad coalition against the federal government’s policies on electric vehicles.

California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the withholding of funding, arguing that it undermines American innovation and job creation in the green technology sector. The potential loss of these funds is seen as detrimental to California’s ongoing efforts to enhance its EV infrastructure, which has become pivotal as the state aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.

The electric vehicle market in California has made noteworthy advancements, with approximately 1.3 million electric cars registered as of September, a figure that outpaces other major states like Florida and Texas. In addition, the state has recently reported that the number of EV charging stations has exceeded that of gasoline pumps, a milestone that underscores California’s commitment to transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

Bonta emphasized the importance of federal investment in support of California’s ambitious goals to expand EV infrastructure. As international competitors like China and Norway accelerate their electric vehicle adoption, the effective and rapid establishment of charging stations will be crucial for California to maintain its leadership in the EV market. The state has set a mandate that all new vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2035, which necessitates an estimated 1.2 million charging stations by 2030 to meet the growing demand.

The federal government’s freeze on funds is viewed as a significant impediment to achieving California’s EV mandates and broader climate initiatives. At the commencement of the Trump administration, an executive order was issued that paused funding for several infrastructure projects, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, effectively blocking planned advances in electric vehicle support.

Through this lawsuit, California seeks to affirm Congressional authority in determining the allocation of critical infrastructure funds, challenging the administrative directives that jeopardize the state’s climate objectives and legislative decisions. California officials and environmental advocates stress that without an expansion of charging infrastructure, the state’s capacity to achieve its climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be severely hindered.