Trump Administration Restores $5 Billion for EV Charger Network — With New Rules

From Funding Freeze to Federal Court Showdown

Earlier this year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Department of Transportation would pause the NEVI program, citing excessive bureaucracy and overly strict requirements for states to access funds. However, in June, a federal judge ruled that this freeze violated Congress’ directives, forcing the administration to resume the program.

On Monday, Secretary Duffy confirmed the funding’s restoration, but with significant policy changes aimed at “cutting red tape” and “making it easier for states to build out EV infrastructure efficiently.”

Key Changes in the NEVI Program

The revised NEVI guidelines introduce several major changes:

• Relaxed Application Requirements: States will face fewer hurdles in applying for federal funding.
  
  
• Reduced Location Restrictions: Previous rules that dictated strict distances between charging stations have been loosened.
  
  
• Less Focus on Grid Integration & Renewable Energy: States are no longer required to prioritize electric grid upgrades or renewable sources in their plans.
  
  
• Removed Consumer & Safety Mandates: Requirements related to consumer protection, emergency evacuation planning, and environmental considerations have been dropped.
  
  
• No More Rural & Underserved Area Quotas: The original mandate that at least 40% of benefits go to disadvantaged communities has been eliminated.
  
  

According to the Trump Administration, these changes address why 84% of NEVI program funds had gone unused under the previous rules.

A Reluctant Revival

While restoring the funds, Secretary Duffy made it clear that he remains skeptical about subsidizing green energy projects. “If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right,” he said, adding that the program will now aim to use federal resources more efficiently.

The official announcement didn’t specify whether the new approach would result in more or fewer chargers compared to the original Biden plan. With the NEVI program scheduled to conclude in 2026, it remains to be seen whether these relaxed rules will encourage non-participating states to join the EV expansion effort.

The Bigger Picture for America’s EV Future

The decision highlights the political push-and-pull over EV adoption in the U.S. While federal funding for charging stations has been restored, the shift in policy priorities could influence where and how quickly chargers are deployed. EV adoption relies heavily on a reliable charging network, and these changes may reshape the map of where future chargers appear.

For now, the $5 billion is back on the table — but with fewer conditions and a new vision for how America’s EV infrastructure will grow. Whether this results in faster nationwide charger deployment or simply shifts resources away from underserved communities will become clear in the coming years.