Trump Administration Pauses EV Infrastructure Program NEVI

The Trump Administration has paused the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) to realign federal spending.

The program was created under the Biden Administration and had a budget of $5 billion but has been criticized for slow progress. However, very few new charging stations were built despite the funding.

Federal Highway Administration Issues Statement

Emily Biondi, Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), sent a letter confirming the decision. The new Department of Transportation leadership will review NEVI’s policies.

All state-approved EV infrastructure plans are now suspended. The letter states:

“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.”

Focus on Reducing Federal Debt

Trump’s team is looking for ways to cut spending, reduce national debt, and improve government efficiency.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which plays a role in these efforts.

Slow Progress Under NEVI

NEVI’s rollout has been sluggish. By March 2024, only seven charging stations with 38 ports had opened. By the end of Q4, there were 31 stations in nine states with 126 total charging points.

This was far from the program’s goal of expanding EV charging access. Many EV owners rely on home charging, but public stations are needed for long trips.

However, the future of NEVI remains uncertain.