Court Restores $5B for EV Charging in All 50 States

Electric vehicle drivers in all 50 states just got some long-awaited good news. A federal court has forced the release of $5 billion that will build thousands of charging stations across America, from rural highways to major city corridors.

The money comes from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which Congress created in 2021 to ensure every American has access to EV charging equipment. Last May, the Trump administration froze all the funds through an executive order aimed at terminating clean energy investments.

That freeze put thousands of jobs and contracts at risk. All 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, had already submitted detailed plans for building the charging network, with workers ready to start construction.

Environmental law organization Earthjustice partnered with 17 states and a coalition of environmental and consumer groups to challenge the freeze in court. Their argument was simple: the administration broke the law by ignoring what Congress had already decided and funded.

The judge agreed. The ruling permanently blocks the Department of Transportation from withdrawing state funds or interfering with any charging projects under the program.

Texas stands to benefit the most from the restored funding, but rural and midwestern states will see significant support too. The program specifically targets areas that currently lack charging infrastructure, making long-distance electric travel possible for everyone.

The Ripple Effect

This victory goes far beyond just adding more charging stations to the map. The restored funding will support thousands of local construction and contractor jobs in communities nationwide as the buildout moves forward.

The timing matters too. More Americans are choosing electric vehicles as prices drop and savings add up. Used EVs now cost less than used gas cars, and the lifetime ownership costs beat traditional vehicles in most cases.

The charging network ensures that people in small towns have the same access as city dwellers. Whether you're taking a cross-country road trip or commuting through rural areas, you'll have reliable places to charge.

The coalition's fight expanded protections beyond just the 17 states that initially sued. Now every state benefits from the legal safeguards, ensuring the charging infrastructure reaches all corners of the country as Congress originally intended.

Construction crews can finally get back to work on projects that have been frozen for nearly a year, bringing America's transportation infrastructure into the modern era.