Background & Legal Ruling
On June 24, 2025, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin issued a landmark preliminary injunction compelling the Trump administration to release EV charging infrastructure funds allocated to 14 states under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Worth up to $5 billion over five years, about $3.3 billion had already been earmarked.
- Judge Lin reprimanded the executive branch, stating that it "overstepped its constitutional authority" by blocking funding approved by Congress.
- Funds for D.C., Minnesota, and Vermont remain frozen for now, as they didn’t demonstrate irreparable harm.
- The order becomes effective July 2 unless successfully appealed.
Impacted States & Implications
Key states slated to receive funding include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
For example:
- New York has seen $120 million of its $175 million award stalled.
- Washington was set to receive $71 million through NEVI.
The freeze had halted several critical projects mid-construction, causing permit delays, contract disruptions, and slowed EV infrastructure expansion.
Broader Legal & Policy Repercussions
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the administration’s freeze violated the Impoundment Control Act, reinforcing that such unilateral fund withholding is illegal.
- California AG Rob Bonta and other state leaders vowed to defend the integrity of legal funding channels, denouncing federal overreach.
- While President Trump contends the pause was for policy review, opponents argue it’s part of a broader rollback of Biden-era climate and EV initiatives.
What This Means for EV Infrastructure
Projects Restart
Once funding is released (likely early July), states will have the ability to resume halted projects involving:
- Highway corridor charger builds
- Site permitting and electrical upgrades
- Contracting and roll-out plans pending reimbursement
Short-Term Uncertainty
States still under injunction (like D.C. and Minnesota) could face delays. Meanwhile, the administration may appeal, potentially postponing disbursement.
Future Legal Fallout
If the injunction is upheld, it could curb future executive fund-blocking tactics and set precedent reinforcing congressional budget authority.
Voices from the Courtroom & Beyond
- Judge Lin: “When the Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch… it is the Court’s responsibility to remediate the situation.”
- California AG Rob Bonta: “California looks forward to continuing to vigorously defend itself from this executive branch overreach.”
Next Milestones
Date
| Event |
July 2, 2025: | Injunction takes effect unless appealed |
1–2 Weeks: | Likely release of multi-state funding rolls out |
Mid-2025: | Appeals may escalate to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals |
Final Takeaway
This court ruling marks a significant victory for EV infrastructure momentum, reaffirming that Congress, not the executive branch, controls federal spending. As NEVI funding resumes, states can jumpstart stalled projects, helping alleviate “range anxiety” and accelerating the transition to clean transportation, provided the court order stands unchallenged.
