In one of the most recent moves to halt Biden-era financing, the Trump administration informed states late last week that it was barring funding for EV chargers, including $52 million for Oregon and $71 million for Washington.
A total of $5 billion was to be distributed to states under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure initiative, or NEVI, to construct highway charging networks. States’ intentions to use the funds were already approved by the Federal Highway Administration.
The Washington Department of Transportation wanted to concentrate its charging efforts on Interstate 5 and other routes. The state of Oregon intended to utilize its portion of the funds to install charging stations on Interstate 205 and U.S. 97, as well as Interstate 5 south of Eugene.
However, the federal transportation department informed states in a letter on Thursday that it was delaying approval of spending plans for the funds allocated for EV chargers.
According to Emily Biondi of the Federal Highway Administration, the new administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has made the decision to examine the rules that underpin the NEVI Formula Program’s operation.
According to her, all state plans for the program would no longer be approved by the agency.
Accordingly, until the revised final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is released and new State plans are submitted and approved, no new responsibilities under the NEVI Formula Program may arise, effective immediately, Biondi said.
According to Biondi, new guidelines regarding charger funding should be available in the spring.
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