Seattle judge considers reversing Trumps EV charger funding freeze

Washington's attorney general urged a federal judge to restore $5 billion in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which the Trump administration has withheld after rescinding state plans for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The administration claims it will eventually approve the funds, but sixteen states and D. C. argue the decision violates the separation of powers. In court, they sought a preliminary injunction to access about $1 billion in federal funds, impacting only the states involved in the lawsuit.

Judge Tana Lin expressed skepticism over the government's assurances, highlighting the risk of indefinite delays in funding new chargers. Washington plans to allocate these funds for chargers along Interstate 5 and other highways, critical for supporting its growing electric vehicle market. Currently, the state has only half of the fast chargers needed by 2025, raising concerns about "range anxiety" among consumers. The Government Accountability Office has found the Trump administration's withholding of funds to be illegal, a ruling the White House has dismissed. As electric vehicle registrations rise, the need for reliable public charging infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent.