Latest news with #NationalElectricVehicleInfrastructure
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Watchdog says Trump administration illegally halted EV charger funding
The Trump administration is breaking the law by withholding funds appropriated by Congress for a national electric vehicle (EV) charging network, a government watchdog says. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $5 billion for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which set out to help build a national network of EV chargers. In February, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said it would rescind all guidance related to the program and that 'no new obligations may occur' under the existing program until it issues updated guidance. A lawsuit over the matter from several states alleges that the department is withholding a total of $2.74 billion in funding. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) a nonpartisan congressional watchdog, this week agreed, saying the Trump administration's move violates the Impoundment Control Act. 'DOT is not authorized … to withhold these funds from expenditure and must continue to carry out the statutory requirements of the program,' the watchdog said. 'If DOT wishes to make changes to the obligation and expenditure of funds appropriated under the NEVI Formula Program, it must propose funds for rescission or otherwise propose legislation to make changes to the law for consideration by Congress,' the GAO continued. A spokesperson for the Transportation Department said in an email that the watchdog's report 'shows a complete misunderstanding of the law.' 'Their conclusion conflicts with Congress' intent, and completely misunderstands the Federal-aid highway program and how Congress structured the NEVI program,' the department said. 'In cherry-picking language in the program statute, GAO's assessment is also at odds with its own reports on how Federal-aid Highway programs similar to NEVI receive and use appropriated funds.' The spokesperson added that the department was reviewing and updating the program guidance 'because the implementation of NEVI has failed miserably, and DOT will continue to work in good faith to update the program so it can be utilized more efficiently and effectively.' While the finding only applies to the EV program, that is just one of many undergoing a funding freeze or cancellation instituted by the Trump administration. Senate Democrats estimate that the administration is blocking a total of $430 billion. 'This legal decision affirms what we've long known: the President is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it. This plain fact is unacceptable — and it cannot stand any longer,' Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a statement. 'These bipartisan investments need to start flowing immediately — as do the hundreds of billions of dollars in other investments President Trump is holding up. I don't care about Russ Vought's personal interpretation of our spending laws; the Constitution is clear, and President Trump simply does not have the power of the purse — Congress does,' Murray added, referring to the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Watchdog says Trump administration illegally halted EV charger funding
The Trump administration is breaking the law by withholding funds appropriated by Congress for a national electric vehicle (EV) charging network, a government watchdog says. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $5 billion for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which set out to help build a national network of EV chargers. In February, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said that it would rescind all guidance related to the program and that 'no new obligations may occur' under the existing program until it issues updated guidance. A lawsuit over the matter from several states alleges that the department is withholding a total of $2.74 billion in funding. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) a nonpartisan congressional watchdog, this week agreed, saying that the Trump administration's move violates the Impoundment Control Act. 'DOT is not authorized …to withhold these funds from expenditure and must continue to carry out the statutory requirements of the program,' the watchdog said. 'If DOT wishes to make changes to the obligation and expenditure of funds appropriated under the NEVI Formula Program, it must propose funds for rescission or otherwise propose legislation to make changes to the law for consideration by Congress,' GAO continued. A spokesperson for the Transportation Department said in an email that the watchdog's report 'shows a complete misunderstanding of the law.' 'Their conclusion conflicts with Congress' intent, and completely misunderstands the Federal-aid highway program and how Congress structured the NEVI program,' the department said. 'In cherry-picking language in the program statute, GAO's assessment is also at odds with its own reports on how Federal-aid Highway programs similar to NEVI receive and use appropriated funds.' The spokesperson added that the department was reviewing and updating the program guidance 'because the implementation of NEVI has failed miserably, and DOT will continue to work in good faith to update the program so it can be utilized more efficiently and effectively.' While the finding only applies to the EV program, that is just one of many undergoing a funding freeze or cancellation instituted by the Trump administration. Senate Democrats estimate that the administration is blocking a total of $430 billion. 'This legal decision affirms what we've long known: the President is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it. This plain fact is unacceptable — and it cannot stand any longer,' said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in a written statement. 'These bipartisan investments need to start flowing immediately — as do the hundreds of billions of dollars in other investments President Trump is holding up. I don't care about Russ Vought's personal interpretation of our spending laws; the Constitution is clear, and President Trump simply does not have the power of the purse — Congress does,' Murray added, referring to the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Epoch Times
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Epoch Times
States Sue Trump Admin Over Termination of EV Charging Station Funding
The Trump administration is being sued by a coalition of 16 states and the District of Columbia over claims it is withholding billions of dollars in funding approved by Congress to build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, according to a federal lawsuit announced on April 7. The It centers on the $5 billion in funding allocated under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program in 2022 to facilitate electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the states. That funding was established through the Biden administration's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, amid a push towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and making at least Congress required the $5 billion funding to be distributed among the states over fiscal years 2022 through 2026. So far, an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available, according to the lawsuit. Related Stories 4/30/2025 5/6/2025 Shortly after taking office in January, President Donald Trump issued an The order stated that America is 'blessed with an abundance of energy and natural resources that have historically powered our Nation's economic prosperity,' but that, in recent years, 'burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations' have impeded the development of those resources, while also limiting the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reducing job creation, and increasing energy costs. Following Trump's directive, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), an agency under the Department of Transportation (DOT), The lawsuit challenges the FHWA's authority to terminate the funding and claims its actions deprive the states of billions of dollars in appropriated funds and violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Separation of Powers Doctrine, and the Take Care Clause, among others. 'This infrastructure is critical to the success of plaintiff states' environmental, public health, and transportation programs—projects Congress actively chose to support in enacting the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] and establishing the NEVI Formula Program. The harms to plaintiff states will continue and become increasingly damaging if unabated,' the states wrote in the suit. The lawsuit asks the court to declare Trump's directives unlawful, to vacate the administration's actions, and permanently stop it from withholding the funds. Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Gloria Shepherd are listed as defendants. In a 'President Trump's illegal action withholding funds for electric vehicle infrastructure is yet another Trump gift to China—ceding American innovation and killing thousands of jobs,' they said. 'Instead of hawking Teslas on the White House lawn, President Trump could actually help Elon—and the nation—by following the law and releasing this bipartisan funding.' The attorneys general of Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Vermont joined the lawsuit. The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Transportation and Tesla for comment.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oregon joins suit against federal transportation agencies for withholding EV charger funding
An electric vehicle is charged at the Woodburn Transit Facility in Oregon May 24, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation). Oregon's attorney general is joining a lawsuit against the heads of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, who are withholding hundreds of millions in funding for electric vehicle chargers already approved by Congress and promised to states. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, is led by attorneys general in Washington, California and Colorado, along with 13 other Democratic attorneys general. Named as defendants are the U.S. Department of Transportation and its secretary, Sean Duffy, as well as the Federal Highway Administration and its acting administrator, Gloria Shepherd. The attorneys general argue only Congress, not federal agency leaders or the president, can rescind remaining grant funding that lawmakers approved in 2022 for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Oregon in 2021 was awarded $52 million to spend on expanding EV chargers and charging infrastructure around the state over five years. 'Oregon's own analysis shows we need five times more public EV chargers along our highways by 2030 just to keep up with the number of electric cars hitting the roads,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a news release. 'If federal funding is delayed or cut off, it puts us at serious risk of falling behind on our climate goals and leaves drivers without the charging infrastructure they need.' Congress in 2022 approved $5 billion in funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grants were meant to help states build charging networks along highways and interstates, and the Federal Highway Administration had already approved states' plans. A Jan. 20 executive order signed by President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop dispersing all funds formerly approved under that act. The Federal Highway Administration in February told states that the agency would rescind previous approvals for state plans meant to expand their EV charging networks, leaving them ineligible for remaining funds. Oregon's Department of Transportation planned to use the money to build out 11 'alternative fuel corridors' on highways around the state that would have dozens of fast charging stations with more than 150 fast charging and Level 2 chargers among them. A DC fast-charger can get an electric car 80% charged within about 20 minutes. A Level 2 charger can get an electric vehicle 80% charged in 4 to 10 hours and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 80% charged in about 1 to 2 hours, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Statewide, Oregon needs 8,000 to 13,000 public, DC fast-chargers and 12,000 to 50,000 Level 2 chargers by 2030 to meet demand from the growing number of electric vehicles used in the state, according to the state transportation department. Currently, there are about 3,800 public EV chargers located at more than 1,400 stations throughout Oregon, according to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Oregon's transportation department has already planned for $26 million in grant spending on engineering, construction and EV charger installations along 11 alternative fuel corridors, primarily on U.S. Highway 97 and Interstate 205, as well as Interstate 5 south of Eugene. But since February, the agency has been cut off from $15 million more it was supposed to receive this year under the grant. The uncertainty around being fully funded to finish projects leaves the agency's plans hanging in the balance. 'Without those funds, ODOT cannot develop eight of the eleven corridors, representing a loss of at least 40 fast charging stations, or a minimum of 160 charging ports. This accounts for roughly seventy-five percent (75%) of the estimated number of stations ODOT planned to develop,' the attorneys general included in the lawsuit. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SPATCO and ChargerHelp Team Up to Tackle the EV Industry's Biggest Problem: Charger Uptime
New industry regulations, federal funding uncertainties, and rising demand drive the need for improved maintenance solutions. CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SPATCO and ChargerHelp have announced a partnership to enhance the reliability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, as the industry faces growing scrutiny over charger uptime and serviceability. The collaboration comes at a critical moment, with federal funding uncertainties and new state-level regulations in California proposing penalties for prolonged charger downtime. Industry reports highlight persistent reliability issues across public EV charging networks. In the fourth quarter of 2024, one in five EV drivers who visited a public charging station could not complete a charge due to station outages, malfunctioning equipment, or payment system failures. [J.D. Power] At the same time, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program—a $5 billion federal initiative—has been paused, creating uncertainty for public and private charging operators. [The Guardian] Meanwhile, California's AB 1423 proposes new requirements for uptime reporting and penalties of up to $2,500 per violation for charging stations that fail to meet reliability standards. This shift signals growing regulatory pressure on charging providers to ensure consistent station uptime and performance. [California Legislative Information] "Charger uptime is no longer just a convenience issue—it's a regulatory priority," said Kameale Terry, Co-Founder & CEO of ChargerHelp. "Our partnership with SPATCO is about scaling a structured, data-driven approach to charger maintenance, ensuring that as the industry grows, reliability keeps pace." Scaling EV Charger Maintenance with Workforce and Technology In response to these challenges, ChargerHelp and SPATCO are partnering to increase overall workforce capacity and improve field service coordination. ChargerHelp has developed the EMPWR Technician App to streamline charger troubleshooting, enhance coordination between stakeholders, and reduce repair times. SPATCO will be the first field service partner to integrate the platform, joining ChargerHelp's existing technicians. The EMPWR Technician App enables SPATCO's 150 electricians across their 15-state footprint to respond to EC charger service calls by standardizing processes and guiding service personnel in the field through the most challenging work orders in a matter of hours, and drives preventive maintenance for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers. This breakthrough proprietary software platform also includes real-time technician support, improving both time and costs associated with resolving EC charger problems in the field. "As the EV industry faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasing demand for reliable charging infrastructure, SPATCO is committed to delivering innovative service solutions that keep chargers operational. Now our charging operators can continue providing critical services to EV drivers with the confidence they need to meet evolving compliance standards. Together, we are ensuring that the future of EV charging is not only accessible but also dependable," said John Force, CEO & President, SPATCO Energy Solutions. "With uptime requirements becoming more stringent, we see a real need for modernized, scalable field service operations. Our collaboration with ChargerHelp will help meet that demand." Industry Accountability and Future of EV Charging Reliability The partnership comes as states and federal agencies increase focus on charger reliability metrics. In addition to uptime penalties, policymakers are pushing for standardized definitions of charger operability, ensuring networks report consistent data on performance. The California Energy Commission is expected to introduce new uptime assessment standards, aligning state and federal regulations to hold operators accountable for long-term reliability. Beyond regulatory requirements, investors and infrastructure operators are also prioritizing reliability metrics. As uptime standards become key in securing state and federal funding, fleet operators, utilities, and charging network providers will need verifiable maintenance strategies to remain competitive. With EV retail share growth projections reaching a total of 9.1% of the total automobile marketplace, or a total of 1.2 million vehicles sold, [J.D. Power] it's more important than ever to provide EV drivers with the same consistent fueling experience as traditional fueling at the pump. Next Steps for the Partnership "Leveraging technology to support our service techs in the field to expedite EV charger trouble-shooting will be key to this industry's success at keeping optimal charger uptimes" said Miguel Payan, VP & General Manager, SPATCO EV Solutions. ChargerHelp and SPATCO will begin deploying integrated workforce solutions in key markets over the next quarter, with additional service partners expected to join the initiative. The EMPWR Technician App will be available to select industry partners, helping streamline compliance and improve service response times. About ChargerHelp ChargerHelp is a technology-driven service company dedicated to improving the reliability and uptime of electric vehicle charging stations. Through its Reliability as a Service (RaaS) model, ChargerHelp provides on-demand workforce solutions, real-time diagnostics, and predictive maintenance to support charging networks, site hosts, and fleet operators. Founded in 2020, ChargerHelp has led data-driven EV infrastructure maintenance, working with policymakers, utilities, and private sector partners to establish optimal charger uptime and serviceability practices. Learn more at For media inquiries, please contact: media@ About SPATCO SPATCO is a leading fueling and EV infrastructure solutions provider, offering comprehensive equipment, installation, and maintenance services across North America. With a 90-year legacy in energy infrastructure, SPATCO has expanded its expertise to support the transition to electrification, providing turnkey solutions for EV charging networks. The company's commitment to innovation, reliability, and service excellence makes it a trusted partner in the evolving clean energy landscape. Learn more at Contact Information Business InquiriesTonia BallardVP of Supply Chain 704.599.7637 Media InquiriesLauren GuytonMarketing Project 980.406.9599 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SPATCO Energy Solutions Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
