News Summary

California, along with 15 states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding billions in funding for electric vehicle (EV) chargers mandated by a bipartisan infrastructure law. Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that the lawsuit targets unlawful actions hampering innovation and job creation in California’s expanding EV market. The initiative reflects a broader commitment among states to challenge federal policies detrimental to environmental goals and press for critical funding to support EV infrastructure development.

California Leads Multi-State Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Withheld EV Charger Funding

California, joined by 15 other states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the refusal to release billions of dollars allocated for electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure as mandated by the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The lawsuit was officially announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta at an EV charging station in Burlingame.

At the core of the lawsuit, Bonta cited President Trump’s unconstitutional actions in withholding funding specifically designated for EV charging stations despite these funds being appropriated by Congress. California expects to receive approximately $300 million from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, part of Biden’s infrastructure plan for 2022, which the Trump administration has declined to release.

The legal challenge marks the 19th such action California has taken against the Trump administration since he took office in January 2017. The lawsuit alleges that the Federal Highway Administration is neglecting its legal obligation to allocate funds approved by Congress, thus breaching the law. Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the withholding of these funds as harmful to innovation and job creation in America, emphasizing that it undermines California’s efforts to build a comprehensive EV infrastructure.

Multi-State Collaboration

The lawsuit includes participation from several states, such as Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Vermont, in addition to the District of Columbia. This collective effort underscores a broader commitment among states to push back against federal actions perceived as detrimental to environmental and infrastructure goals.

California’s EV Market Growth

California has witnessed significant growth in its electric vehicle market, boasting around 1.3 million registered electric cars as of September. This figure vastly surpasses the totals in other major states like Florida and Texas. Notably, California now has more EV charging stations than conventional gasoline pumps, illustrating a strong commitment to expanding its EV infrastructure.

Bonta emphasized the necessity of federal investment to further bolster California’s EV initiatives, especially in light of advancements by international competitors such as China and Norway in electric vehicle technology. California has mandated that by 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state must be zero-emission, which will require an estimated 1.2 million charging stations by 2030 to meet growing demand.

Impact of Federal Funding Freeze

The federal government’s decision to freeze funding for electric vehicle infrastructure is considered a setback for California’s ambitious mandate and overall climate change efforts. The initial executive order by the Trump administration at the start of his term paused allocations for projects like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This lawsuit seeks to challenge that directive, arguing that it contradicts Congress’s authority over funding decisions and violates the principles of separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution.

Statistics reveal that nearly two million zero-emission vehicles have been sold in California, representing one-third of all such sales across the United States. California officials and environmental advocates maintain that without the expansion of charging infrastructure, the state’s objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate targets could be significantly hindered.

Ultimately, the lawsuit not only aims to compel the release of much-needed funding for electric vehicle infrastructure but also highlights the ongoing tensions between state initiatives aimed at combating climate change and federal policies under the Trump administration.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Pleasanton Weekly
• The New York Times
• Barron’s
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Electric Vehicle
• Google Search: California lawsuit over EV charging funding