Trump restores federal funds for electric vehicle charging stations

There should be more charging stations for electric vehicles in Pennsylvania’s future.

In one of his first moves after taking office in January, President Donald Trump froze the $5 billion Biden-era National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to install a half million charging stations across the country for administrative review. Last week, the Trump administration announced that the program will continue under new guidelines and every state will have to submit a new plan within 30 days for how it will spend its allotment.

The expectation is that the funds previously awarded to the states will not change, Zachary Appleby, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said in an email response to questions. Pennsylvania, which has been among the national leaders in opening charging stations under the program, will submit a revised program.

Before the freeze, Pennsylvania had been awarded $171.5 million to build 150 charging stations across the state. It had 90 projects worth about $59 million under contract, and 17 stations have opened, but it hasn’t been able to use the remaining $112 million.

Now, if the state’s revised plans are approved, the rest of that money should be available.

In a news release, the Federal Highway Administration announced it has issued new “interim final guidance” on how states can use the money. It said the previous guidelines were “difficult to understand and implement,” resulting in many states not opening any new stations yet.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy made it clear the new administration doesn’t support the environmental goals of the program, but it will continue it with fewer restrictions. A federal court in Seattle ordered the administration in June to release funds under the program after 17 states — not including Pennsylvania — challenged Trump’s threat to eliminate the program because he believes it forces consumers to buy more expensive electric vehicles.

“If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right,” Duffy said. “The Biden-Buttigieg administration failed to deliver EV chargers despite their promises.

“Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure. While I don’t agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress’ will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently.”

The program was one of the hallmarks of President Joe Biden’s efforts to rebuild the economy and reduce air pollution and global warming. It included $5 billion awarded under a federal formula that required states to identify their busiest traffic corridors and have charging stations available every 50 miles.

Once those requirements were met, the states could use the money elsewhere to increase the availability of charging stations.

It also included $2.5 billion in discretionary grants for special projects to install stations in disadvantaged neighborhoods and rural communities. It’s not clear whether the discretionary grants will continue.

Appleby said Pennsylvania has awarded contracts to fill the gaps in the busy corridors and has been waiting for the new guidelines so it can continue the program.

“Pennsylvania achieved full build out of its Alternative Fuel Corridor in January 2025 and has been ready to move forward as a nationwide leader in the NEVI program, but without federal guidelines, we were unable to move forward as quickly as we could have,” he said. “The Shapiro administration has consistently pushed for guidelines and a clear path to accessing funds made available to our state by Congress.”

The new guidelines eliminate the requirement for stations every 50 miles, but Appleby said the state will maintain that standard.

“The NEVI guidance no longer contains the 50 miles requirement for the AFCs, but PennDOT invested in a robust EV charging network that will meet that standard,” he said. “As a national leader, we plan to stay the course with a competitive program that evaluates key factors to make sure that we have maximized available NEVI funds to provide a robust EV charging program in Pennsylvania.”

Industry groups applauded the new guidelines.

Charge Ahead Partnership, a group that advocates for deployment of charging stations, said in a news release that the new guidelines provide “greater flexibility for states to determine charger locations and eliminates procedural requirements” that caused some states not to award any contracts under the program.

“The ultimate goal of the NEVI program is to expand the nation’s EV charging infrastructure, and these updated guidelines will make that outcome more likely,” said Jay Smith, CAP executive director. “There are thousands of aspiring EV charging providers who would gladly offer this service to drivers if they could get NEVI funding to offset significant startup costs.

“A streamlined NEVI program will make it easier for the mom-and-pop gas station on the corner, along with national retail chains, to offer EV charging.”

CALSTART, an environmental organization dedicated to transportation decarbonization and clean air, said the new guidelines will allow an important program to move forward.

“Streamlining the program will unlock more financial gains — including good jobs,” Levi Kamolnick, director of federal policy, said in a statement. “This move enables states to advance infrastructure projects that efficiently meet vehicle charging demand. 

“What’s more, it will help our country remain competitive in a global marketplace racing toward vehicle electrification at break-neck pace. Public investments such as NEVI will play an important role in determining which countries take the lead in the emerging new transportation sector.”