Trump Administration Unblocks $5 Billion for EV Chargers After Court Ruling

The Trump administration has released $5 billion in federal grants for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure after a U.S. appeals court in June blocked its attempt to freeze the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Transportation Department on 11 Aug 2025 issued new guidance that lets states tap the money, lifting a hold that had stalled spending for months and left about 84 % of the allocation unobligated. Under the revised rules, states no longer need to show how projects will protect consumers, address emergency evacuations or ensure a share of chargers are built in rural and disadvantaged areas. The department also removed language promoting labor standards and opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses, arguing the changes will speed construction after fewer than 400 federally backed chargers had been installed nationwide. The funding restart coincides with a broader pullback in federal support for electric vehicles. A $7,500 federal purchase tax credit is scheduled to expire on 30 Sept 2025, and California Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to detail a replacement for the state’s own rebate program, which disbursed $1.5 billion before ending in 2023. Automakers and charging-station developers warn that policy uncertainty could slow adoption if state incentives are not in place when the federal credit lapses.