A group of nine Democratic senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee accused the Trump administration on Tuesday of unlawfully withholding $3 billion in previously awarded funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on Thursday that it was suspending the federal EV charging program and rescinding state-approved charging plans pending a new review. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who led the group of lawmakers, called the move a “blatant disregard of the law” and requested internal emails to determine whether President Donald Trumpās advisor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk played a role in the decision.
See also: U.S. Transportation Department Halts $5 Billion EV Charging Program, Prompting Legal Backlash
A spokesperson for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declined to comment, while Tesla did not immediately respond to inquiries.
On Friday, a coalition representing automakers and EV charging companies urged USDOT to reinstate the program, warning that delays could create uncertainty for states and businesses.
Trump, who has been critical of EV policies, moved to halt the distribution of unspent federal funds for charging infrastructure on his first day in office. He also revoked a 2021 executive order signed by former President Joe Biden that aimed for 50% of new U.S. vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. The target had received backing from domestic and international automakers but was not legally binding.
In addition, Trump has proposed ending a waiver that allows states to set zero-emission vehicle mandates and has signaled a potential rollback of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EV purchases as part of broader tax reform efforts.
See also: Trump Revokes Bidenās EV Executive Order, Seeks to End Support for Electric Vehicles
Last month, Transportation Secretary Duffy directed regulators to rescind Biden-era fuel economy standards designed to reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. His department is also reviewing federal highway climate regulations introduced under the previous administration.
Source: Reuters