A U.S. federal judge on Friday ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump unlawfully suspended funding for a nationwide electric vehicle charging program, handing a legal victory to 20 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.
U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Seattle said the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration acted outside their legal authority when they paused the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program earlier this year. The program was created by Congress in 2021 under former President Joe Biden as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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In her ruling, Lin said federal officials had effectively “yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet” without following the requirements of administrative law. Her order permanently bars the Transportation Department from withdrawing funds already awarded to states or canceling their previously approved plans to build EV charging infrastructure.
Environmental groups welcomed the decision. The Sierra Club said the ruling clears the way for states to continue deploying chargers funded by the law.
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“Judge Lin’s order is a resounding win for the rule of law and for smart investment in our clean energy future,” said Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for Nick Brown, in a statement.
The Transportation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The dispute arose after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took office in February and the department suspended the $5 billion NEVI program. The administration argued the move was a temporary pause, later lifting it after Lin issued a preliminary injunction and the agency released revised guidance.
However, Lin said the 2021 law did not allow even a temporary halt to funding. “In short, Defendants defied the will of Congress by withholding funds in a manner not contemplated by the IIJA,” she wrote.
The lawsuit, led by states including California, Colorado, and Washington, alleged that the administration was improperly withholding billions of dollars already approved for EV infrastructure.
The ruling comes as the Trump administration advances policies aimed at boosting gasoline-powered vehicle sales and scaling back incentives for electric vehicles. Separately, the U.S. Senate is expected next week to consider legislation that would redirect $879 million in EV charging funds approved under Biden to other infrastructure priorities.