California, along with sixteen other states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump for suspending a $5 billion federal funding program meant to support the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The lawsuit, announced by California’s attorney general, argues that the administration’s efforts to roll back subsidies and halt progress on clean transportation are unlawful and put the nation’s green transition at risk.
The legal action specifically targets Trump’s decision in February to pause the approval of funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. This initiative was designed to help pay for the installation of EV chargers, especially along the country’s interstate highways. State officials say that suspending the program jeopardizes their ability to expand charging networks, making it harder for consumers to access electric vehicles, slow progress in tackling climate change, and threaten jobs in green industries.
“This action will devastate the ability of states to build the charging infrastructure necessary for making EVs accessible to more consumers, combating climate change, reducing other harmful pollution, and supporting the states’ green economies,” the states said in their suit, which was filed in a Seattle court.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has not yet responded to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, in February, a coalition representing carmakers and EV charging firms called on the government to quickly restore funding, highlighting how vital these resources are for continued growth in the sector.
Since taking office in January, Trump has moved to reverse several policies introduced by his predecessor, President Joe Biden, which promoted the shift away from fossil fuels and supported clean energy. He has advocated for increased coal use, more domestic oil production, and has undone several high-profile initiatives, including a 2021 Biden order aiming for half of all new cars sold in the U.S. to be electric by 2030.
Trump has also called for an end to state-level zero-emission vehicle regulations and stopped funding for California’s high-speed rail project, further distancing his administration from previous clean energy goals.
