Lansing, Michigan – A federal judge has stopped the Trump Administration from cutting off billions of dollars in financing for electric vehicle infrastructure that Congress had previously approved. This is a big gain for states who depend on that money. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted the ruling after a group of states, including Michigan, sued.
Last year, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the multistate lawsuit when federal agencies tried to stop funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI).
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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set up the initiative to help install more electric vehicle charging stations across the country and make it easier for people to find reliable charging stations.
Nessel noted that the ruling of the court protects investments that are very important for Michigan’s transportation future.
“EV infrastructure is essential, and I am relieved that the Court has halted the Trump Administration from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved funding,” said Attorney General Nessel.
“Through these federal actions, my colleagues have been able to recoup billions of dollars for residents, and we remain committed to putting an end to this administration’s illegal conduct.”
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Congress set budgeted $5 billion for the NEVI initiative over the course of five years. The state of Michigan was given $87 million to build more charging stations from 2022 to 2025. But in January 2025, President Trump told federal agencies to stop giving out money that had been approved under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. The order includes money set aside for charging stations for electric vehicles.
Things became worse in February when the Federal Highway Administration told states that it was canceling plans that had already been approved and would not give any further NEVI financing. As a result, almost $29 million that was supposed to go to Michigan was put in at risk.
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The court’s order stops the administration from going through with the funding termination. This lets states keep planning and developing charging infrastructure. Along with Michigan, attorneys general from more than a dozen other states and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, joined the lawsuit.